CGS : Assisted Reproduction

About Assisted Reproduction

Most assisted reproductive technologies (ART) are used to treat infertility. Others are used when there are no fertility problems. Embryo screening or pre-implantation genetic diagnosis, for example, is used in order to prevent the births of children with specific genetic characteristics.

In vitro fertilization (IVF) refers to assisted reproduction procedures in which sperm and eggs are joined outside a woman's body. Women undergoing IVF are given hormonal drugs to promote the development of multiple eggs, which are retrieved with a minor surgical procedure. The eggs are mixed with sperm; one or more of those that fertilize are then transferred to the woman's uterus.

IVF has been in use since 1978 and has resulted in almost four million births worldwide. A number of IVF-related techniques have been introduced since then. Some of these, such as pre-implantation genetic diagnosis and commercial gestational surrogacy, raise significant ethical and policy concerns. In the United States alone, the assisted reproduction business is estimated to create over $3 billion in revenues a year.

Research on the risks associated with ART is notoriously inadequate. There have been few follow-up studies either on women who have used ARTs or their children. The United States is also known for having few laws governing assisted reproduction and little oversight of ART facilities.

Testimony by Jennifer Schneider, MD to the California Senate Health Committee re AB 926June 12, 2013by Jennifer Schneider, MD

Testimony by Diane Tober, PhD to the California Senate Health Committee re AB 926June 12, 2013by Diane Tober

Testimony by Sindy Wei, MD to the California Senate Health Committee re AB 926June 12, 2013by Sindy Wei, MD

Single Embryo Transfer Recommended in Most IVF Proceduresby Rachel Walden, Our Bodies Our BlogJune 13th, 2013In a joint practice committee statement, the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine conclude that single embryo transfer is an increasingly better choice.

Time for the US to Ban Human Reproductive Cloningby Pete Shanks, Biopolitical TimesJune 12th, 2013A major fertility clinic reacted to the recent research cloning paper by speculating that human reproductive cloning may be on the way — demonstrating the need for the United States to join the dozens of countries that already prohibit it.

Israeli Sex Offender Taps India's Booming Surrogacy Trade For Baby Girlby Jason Overdorf, Global PostJune 10th, 2013A convicted Israeli pedophile has gained custody of a girl born to an Indian surrogate, triggering assurances of a re-look at surrogacy rules in New Delhi and Jerusalem.

Infertility Due to Old Eggs? An Anti-Aging Pioneer Ponders Solutionsby Melissa Healy, Los Angeles TimesJune 5th, 2013Scientists draw on advances across many fields to propose a way to rejuvenate aging human eggs using a woman's own ovarian stem cells.

Motherhood Deferred: Freezing Your Eggs[With CGS's Diane Tober]by Judy Campbell, KQED ForumMay 31st, 2013What are the benefits and risks of freezing eggs? A discussion with CGS's Associate Executive Director, a journalist, and a reproductive endocrinologist.

The Facts: A Bill to Permit Researchers to Pay for Eggs is Bad for Women, Bad for Californiaby Alliance for Humane Biotechnology, Center for Genetics and Society, Our Bodies Ourselves, and Pro-Choice Alliance for Responsible ResearchMay 30th, 2013Given that many young women providing eggs for reproductive purposes have experienced serious complications, it would seem prudent to collect adequate safety data before expanding the market to include eggs for research.

Supreme Court Won't Hear Case of B.C. Woman Seeking Info About Sperm-Donor Dad by The Canadian Press, The Vancouver SunMay 30th, 2013The Supreme Court of Canada will not hear an appeal from a woman who argued that offspring should have access to information about their biological past.

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