I was looking around for interesting articles for this blog today and I came across this article. It has to do a lot with my past posts relating to my egg donations. A new test has been discovered that can detect chromosomal abnormalities in embryos before they are implanted which cause up to 70% of pregnancies not lasting full term. What this test does is examines the cells that eventually will become the babies placenta therefor not causing harm to the developing embryo. This could as much as triple the success rates of IVF cycles and could completely turn the field on its head.
Many women suffer from infertility whether it be from cancer or ovarian failure and often turn to IVF after failed attempts with prescription drug interventions for those that still are cycling. This procedure allows women to have children who thought that this dream had once gone out the window. If this new test can improve the success rates then a lot more women will be able to hold onto their dream. It does make me think though about what other effects this could have on other things in the world. Like a butterfly effect. I mean often when these women can't have children they turn to adoption.
If success rates of IVF cycles improve, will adoption rates decrease? And if so there will be even more children in the world waiting for a loving family. I'm not downplaying the amazing capabilities this new test may bring about but it just makes me wonder if every action has an equal reaction what could this mean for the world?
Like I said in my blog medical advances now a days amaze me. Its incredible that we can test for this sort of thing and prevent the heart ache, disappointment, and loss of money associated with a failed IVF pregnancy. I'm not sure if the rates of adoption would decrease substantially because even if they can test to make sure the egg is good there are still many other factors that can lead to a failed pregnancy. I could imagine a slight dip in adoption as the success rates for IVF pregnancy go up but, not such a substantial drop that anyone should be concerned.
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