Test-Tube BabiesTest-Tube Babies

Ravi P. AgrahariRavi P. Agrahari

(Science & Technology)(Science & Technology)

A white mum gave birth to a black and white twin baby. They were born after a test-tube bungle at a fertility clinic. The mother’s name was Donna. She was shocked after seeing the black and white twins.

The white baby is her nature child, but the black baby was born because embryos from another patient named Debbie Rogers. She a black woman and her eggs were mistakenly implanted in Donna’s womb along with her own fertilized eggs.

Black and white test-tube twins shock for mumBlack and white test-tube twins shock for mum

Both couples went to see Dr. Lillian Nash, the New York clinic of fertility expert after trying for a baby for years and paid 1,000 dollars each to have eggs extracted.

The mix-up happened when the two women returned to the clinic to have their fertile eggs transferred to their wombs.

After being threatened with legal action, Donna agreed to hand over the black child to Debbie, who had lost here own test-tube babies in a miscarriage. “We want what’s in our son’s best interests---that’s why we are giving him up.” said the sad mother .

After realizing what had happened, Dr. Nash alerted both women when Donna was 3 months pregnant. But because multiple embryos were implanted and only 2 survived, it was impossible to predict the babies’ color until there were 3months old.

So the heart broken mother, Donna, will hand over the black twin baby if DNA tests prove that Debbie and her husband are his nature parents. Both couples are going to sue Dr. Nash.

The white mother Donna doesn’t care about the black baby’s skin color. She loved the child, but she still cares about the black mother, Debbie’s feelings.

After giving Debbie her black child, Debbie’s house was full of joy---and tears for the white mother, Donna.

The first test-tube baby Louise Brown was born in 25 July 1978

Discussion1. Should background factors, such as age,

marital status and job, affect who is given infertility treatment? If so, what criteria do you think should make the final decision?

These factors can influence people who receive infertility treatment.

The cost of a single IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation) treatment is about NT$100,000 in Taiwan.

A woman’s age must be considered. However, there is no upper age limit at which IVF should not be done; the limiting factor is not really the age of the woman, but the quality of her eggs.

2. Who do you think should pay for the treatment – the couple or the government?

Nowadays, some countries begin to subsidize infertile couples.

For example: Korea (70 percent subsidy) Because the government drive to lift the

country's descending birthrate. Provide the financial support for women

under the age of 44 who have been unable to have children and cannot afford the fertility procedure.

3. Do you think it is wrong that people who harm their health through smoking and drinking receive free hospital treatment, yet couples who through no fault of their own cannot have children, have to pay for their treatment?

Studies show smoking, alcohol, and caffeinated beverages can result in lower pregnancy rates and a greater risk of miscarriage.

they should take responsibility for their behavior.

4. Do you think it is everyone’s right to have children? Why, why not?

Everyone has right to have children and to build up a family.

5.Infertility treatment to parents

6.Circumstances between children and parents

7.Men / Machines can carry children in future

Extra Information IVF success rate is too low, says Lord Winston. Would You Pay To Oder A Custom Designer Baby?Tips for greater chances of I.V.F success.

The success rates of test tube babymethods remain disappointingly low andmore research must be done to raise them,says Lord Winston.

At present, it is around 30 per cent, but that is only possible by "picking the right patients to treat."

IVF success rate is too low, says Lord Winston

More must be done to understand what a good quality egg is. But the eggs are not in the ideal hormonal environment and he believes that an alternative method has to be found to obtain more high quality eggs, based on better understanding of how eggs mature in the ovary.

A second approach will be to select healthy embryos to implant. When couples attend fertility clinics for IVF, eggs from the woman are fertilized with sperm and the resulting embryos allowed to develop in the laboratory for five or so days.

The technique, combined with sampling of around 20 cells from the very early embryo, before implantation in the womb, opens the way to pin-pointing a handful of genes that could be used to identify those embryos most likely to result in a successful pregnancy.

Around one per cent of all births in the UK are the

result of IVF treatment and the latest figures show 32,600 women underwent treatment resulting in 11,000 births.

Would You Pay To

Oder A Custom

Designer Baby?

Ever wanted a baby with blue eyes and blond hair?

According to recent news, a Los Angeles fertility clinic is now offering a new service that would allow couples to “design” their babies. You would be able to choose the baby’s physical traits, including eye and hair color according to BBC.

The LA Fertility Institutes said that they have already received half a dozen requests for the new service.

The first designer baby is expected to be born next year.

The new service has fired up a debate within the global medical community. Many are questioning the ethics of genetics enhancement.

A technique called preimplantation genetic diagnosis will be used for trait-selection. This process is said to have been used in the past for medical purposes, however never has it been used for cosmetic usage.

TEST-TUBE BABY

• What is a Test Tube Baby ?

• Tips for greater chances of I.V.F success

Test Tube Baby

- A test tube baby is the term that refers to a child that is conceived outside the woman's body.

- The process is referred to as "in vitro" (outside the body) fertilization.

- Simply put, eggs are removed from the mother's ovary and incubated with sperm from the father. After fertilization, the "pre-embryos“ are allowed to divide 2-4 times (in a "test tube") and then returned to the mother's uterus where they can develop normally. Through these procedures, women with otherwise untreatable infertility problems have given birth to healthy babies.

Tips for greater chances of I.V.F success

For Women “Prevention is better than Cure

- No smoking or alcohol use. Studies show both can result in lower pregnancy rates and a greater risk of miscarriage

- No more than two caffeinated beverages per day.

- Refrain from intercourse three to four days prior to egg retrieval and following embryo replacement until pregnancy determination is made.

- Normal exercise may continue unless enlargement of your ovaries produces discomfort.

- Avoid hot tubs or saunas.

- Avoid change in diet or weight loss or fad diets during IVF cycle. A healthy well balanced diet works best.

For Men……

Drugs, alcohol, and cigarette smoking should be avoided for three months prior to treatment and at all times during the ongoing IVF treatment cycle to get the best results.

Sitting in hot tubs and saunas is not recommended. Even a single episode in the hot tub can adversely effect sperm function. Please refrain from this for at least three months prior to treatment.

Abstain from intercourse for at least three days, but not more than seven days prior to collection of semen for egg collection and during treatment.

Fever greater than 100.4o one to two months prior to IVF treatment may adversely affect sperm

quality. Consult your doctor immediately.

THANK YOUTHANK YOU