Risks of IVF technology
IVF technology is a widely used reproductive medicine technology to help couples who cannot conceive naturally realize their reproductive dreams. However, with the development of technology and the expansion of the scope of application, it also brings some risks and disputes. This article will elaborate on the risks of IVF technology from four aspects.
1. Physiological risk
IVF technology may bring some physiological risks to female patients. First, the process of egg retrieval may lead to ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). OHSS is ovarian overreaction, which may cause abdominal distension, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and other symptoms, even life-threatening in serious cases. Secondly, the process of embryo transfer may cause complications such as intrauterine infection or ectopic pregnancy.
In addition, IVF technology also has physiological risks for infants themselves. Research shows that the risk of abnormal development of embryos obtained through in vitro fertilization is higher than that of natural pregnancy. In addition, IVF babies may face problems such as premature delivery, low birth weight and physical abnormalities. These risks may lead to various health problems during the growth and development of infants.
In addition, the auxiliary technologies used in the process of IVF, such as embryonic gene screening, also bring some physiological risks. The current gene screening technology is not perfect, which may cause some damage to the embryo, such as fetal death, fetal malformation, etc.
2. Psychological risk
IVF technology not only brings risks to physical health, but also may have some adverse effects on the psychological health of couples. First, due to the pressure of infertility and long-term unsuccessful treatment, couples may have emotional problems, such as anxiety and depression. Secondly, IVF technology needs to be tried many times, such as embryo transfer, and failure experience may bring frustration and disappointment to couples. Finally, family and social pressure generated during IVF may also cause psychological burden on couples.
3. Ethical risk
IVF technology involves some ethical issues. First, the technology of gender selection has triggered ethical disputes. Some people believe that the choice of gender may lead to the imbalance of the gender ratio, and then pose a threat to social stability. Secondly, gene screening technology brings the possibility of selecting healthy genes or genetic characteristics, which also raises moral and ethical issues. Choosing healthy genes may lead to discrimination against unhealthy genes, which will have adverse effects on society.
4. Social Risks
The popularization and application of IVF technology also brings some risks to society. First, the problem of population aging may be exacerbated by the delay of IVF technology. The IVF technology has delayed the birth of younger couples, leading to an increase in the overall childbearing age, which may have a negative impact on the country's population structure. Secondly, the high cost of IVF technology has further exacerbated the gap between the rich and the poor, and some couples who cannot afford the cost face the risk of not being able to get convalescence.
Summary
The wide application of IVF technology has brought a series of risks. Physiological risks include complications such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome that may be caused during egg retrieval, and developmental abnormalities and health problems that IVF may face. Psychological risk involves the psychological health of couples, which may lead to anxiety, depression and other problems. Ethical risks include moral and ethical issues that may arise from gender selection and gene screening. Social risks involve the aging of the population and the further expansion of the gap between rich and poor. Therefore, when using IVF technology, we need to carefully weigh its advantages and disadvantages to ensure the rational application of technology.
