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IVF = world fertility problems

By Lucy Hutchings on Friday 15 February 2008

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Baby in hospital unit

An increase in cases of couples using IVF to conceive is creating worldwide fertility problems, as parents pass their genetic condition onto the next generation.

Scientists have warned that a sharp rise in cases of infertility looks set to face the next generation, as obesity and increases in STDs are also leading to more couples finding they are unable to conceive naturally. In ten years, this could even rise to one in three couples, compared to one in seven today.

Published in the British Medical Journal this week, the study noted, 'With the advent of assisted conception, sub-fertile couples may have as many children as fertile couples, so that genetic factors linked to infertility will become more prevalent in the generations to come.'

Sub-fertility refers to couples with decreased levels of fertility, who should still be able to conceive naturally.

Study leaders Professor Jens Bonde, of Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark, and Professor Jorn Olsen of the University of California, also warned birth rates and sperm counts were facing a decline in developed countries.

Friday 15 February 2008

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This seems to suggest that only "perfect" individuals should be allowed to procreate. I only recently saw a study that indicates endometriosis (my condition) shows a genetic link. I tried IVF in my 30s but sadly we didn't succeed. In all other ways, I'm the picture of health -- I eat right, exercise and live a healthy lifesytle. That's more than I can say for many parents who may not have a problem reproducing but pass along bad behavioral traits. Just another irony of living infertile in a fertile world.
Comment by Pamela Jeanne on February 17 02:20

I found this article to be extremely interesting and illuminating. I am sorry to disagree with you Pamela, but I think that the information was presented in an unbiased manner.

I also believe that it would be wrong to ban people who were infertile from reproducing but I think that people need to think twice before they make the decision to opt for this procedure. Although I believe that it is horrific from a global point of view, it is equally terrifying when it comes to your own family. If you have suffered the pain of not being able to bear children why on earth would you want to subject your own child to it?

Comment by Anita on April 30 13:51