Physiological Health Hazards of IVF
IVF is a kind of baby obtained by culturing fertilized eggs in vitro through assisted reproductive technology. Although IVF technology has brought hope to many infertile couples, it also has some physiological health hazards.
First, the process of IVF embryo transfer will cause some harm to the mother. The embryo transfer needs to be implanted into the uterus through endometrial acupuncture, which may cause uterine bleeding, infection and other complications. At the same time, long-term use of ovulation promoting drugs and other assisted reproductive technologies may also affect women's health, such as increasing the risk of polycystic ovary syndrome and endometriosis.
Secondly, the risk of IVF pregnancy and the birth defect rate of infants are also important hazards. According to the research, the preterm birth rate and low birth weight rate of IVF are higher than those of natural pregnancy. At the same time, IVF also has the risk of chromosome abnormalities and genetic diseases, because in the process of in vitro fertilization, the chromosome of the embryo may be abnormal. These problems have been confirmed in the statistics of some hospitals.
Third, IVF technology may have an impact on children's physical and mental development. Some studies have found that IVF may have some differences in cognitive ability, behavior and emotion. This may be related to the drugs used in assisted reproductive technology and environmental factors during embryo transfer.
Mental Health Hazards of IVF
The mental health of IVF also faces some potential hazards.
First of all, IVF may face the inherent confusion of identity. Because IVF babies are formed by combining eggs and sperm from the same or different donors, they may be raised by different biological parents, which may pose challenges to their identity.
Secondly, IVF may face pressure and discrimination from society. As IVF is a new way of reproduction, some people have doubts and prejudices about this technology, which may lead to discrimination and rejection of IVF.
Third, IVF families may bear greater economic and psychological pressure. The technology cost of IVF is high, and infertile couples have experienced a long treatment process, which may make them face greater pressure in terms of economy and psychology.
Moral and Ethical Problems of IVF
IVF technology has triggered a series of moral and ethical disputes.
First, IVF technology may lead to embryo loss. In the process of IVF, multiple embryos are usually cultured at an early stage, and the most likely successful embryos are selected for transplantation. This means that some embryos will be abandoned or frozen, which raises ethical issues about embryo rights and human life.
Second, IVF technology may exacerbate fertility inequality. Due to the high cost and technical constraints, only a few people can afford the treatment of IVF, and only a few medical institutions provide this technology. This may lead to the rich class or people in specific areas are more likely to enjoy the benefits of IVF, and increase the fertility inequality of others.
Third, IVF technology may breed a commercialized birth market. Some private hospitals and birth institutions may make use of IVF technology to maximize profits, making the birth process a commercial activity. This may cause a series of moral and legal problems.
Summary
To sum up, although IVF technology has brought fertility hope to infertile couples, it is also accompanied by a series of hazards and disputes. Physiologically, the harm of IVF to mother, the increase of pregnancy risk and birth defect rate, and the potential problems of children's physical and mental development need attention. Psychologically, IVF may face identity problems, social pressure and family pressure. In addition, IVF technology also involves moral and ethical issues, including embryo loss, fertility inequality and commercialization. Therefore, when promoting and applying IVF technology, more attention should be paid to the research and management of the above issues to ensure the rational application of technology and the comprehensive attention to children and families.
