Analysis Of The Advantages And Disadvantages Of In Vitro Fertilisation Process For Women

In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) is the process of fertilisation through extracting a woman patients eggs, and a male patients sperm samples, then turning converting them into zygotes, which are then placed in the women patients uterus for pregnancy. IVF is an assisted reproductive form of technology (ART) which is most commonly used to treat infertility. The process commences with the women taking injectable hormonal drugs or 'Clomid' in rare cases which improve her ovaries growth to develop multiple mature eggs from follicles.

The next step requires a fertility doctor to surgically removing those Ovum(s) or egg(s) through a process identified as egg collection. Which they then fertilise those eggs with the male patient's sperm through a fluid medium placed in a fertility labratory. The Zygote(s) then turn into embryo(s) which are transferred to the female patient's uterus through embryo transfer in a optimistic attempt, which results in a baby. IVF is a treatement used across the world and it’s known that 4 out of 24 couples have trouble getting pregnant naturally (American Pregnancy Association, 2019).

With fertilisation processes similar to IVF, There are piles of reasons why the process can be beneficial or extremely un-beneficial :

In terms of advantages, for women with either blocked or damaged fallopian tubes ( a pair of tubes which transports the womens eggs from their ovaries to their uterus), IVF is possibly the best artificially developed technology for them to conceive a child with their male partner successfully. Furthermroe, Both women and men of older age have a higher chance using IVF compared to natural forms of conceiving. IVF may often lower the chances of having a child with an abnormality such as Cystic Fibrosis; if two partners undergo IVF, the baby may have a ¼ chance of getting affected by the genetic disease. Moreover, 1 in 6 couples will suffer from unexplained fertility issues, Which IVF can provide as an alternative method for them. ('Prerequisite Tests - Fertility Solutions').

In terms of disadvantages, IVF tends to be an expensive alternative depending on the country and age of the couple attempting the procedure. It is important to note that the process of IVF relies upon the age of the women attempting the treatment as it is a critical determinant of a successful IVF procedure. It's often thought that the energy supplied to the embryo has a considerable effect on success. As age increases, we can see, the amount of energy starts lowering, and IVF can only help partially with this factor. For example, In Denmark prices for women up to 35, the price for a procedure with a partner/donor's sperm costs 8,569.53SGD, where on the other hand for women between 36 and 42 years old the price is around 10,819.11SGD.

Depending on whether the country has low or high birth rates, price plays a significant effect. We can see this as in Singapore, due to the small country size and high birth rates the prices are higher than ordinary as they range between $10,000 to $14,000 ('The Cost Of Infertility In Singapore'). While in countries such as Barbados prices range between $5500 - $7000 (Davis). Through the process, both emotional and psychological issues may as well have a significant toll on couples undergoing the process due to its highly sensitive and physical demands. A very controversial aspect of IVF is the possibility of more than one embryo being delivered to the women's uterus.

In terms of Cultural aspects, it's essential to understand that each religion has different opinions on Assisted Reproductive forms of technology.

In terms of Judaism, according to the religious text 'Talmud', all jews should create an offspring and to specifically be 'fruitful and multiply'. Therefore it seems that IVF is obligatory and when in cases it's identified as a beneficial factor towards a couple's option to reproduce, It's greatly supported. It's as well recognised as more obligatory than allowable if IVF is on the table. It's imperative to understand that the utilisation of an early embryo for research purposes in an attempt to save thousands of lives in the future is acceptable (HN Sallam).

In terms of Christianity, overcoming infertility, according to god, is 'pleasing', and the use of IVF often has no objections. It's important to note that although the usage of IVF is allowed according to the scripture, a child shall only be conceiving to a married man and women. The quotation creates controversy as in many cases, IVF fertility clinics accept donor sperm which is donated to the women so she may raise the child alone in some cases. Therefore IVF is as a whole morally good. However, this does not mean a couple is obligated to undergo IVF or other forms of ART (Grudem).

In terms of Hinduism, a majority of Hindus place a vast amount of importance towards family life, and if found infertile, the use of IVF can deem to be useful and provide an alternative. According to Hindu scriptures, there are four ashramas in which becoming a householder and parent is the second ashrama and is important. Hindu's find that adoption is a happier fulfilling process and provides an already born Hindu loving family. IVF can as well possibly go against ahimsa which is the term for non-violence because it can sometimes involve embryos.

In terms of social obstacles, It's often seen that the usage of IVF in LEDC's can bring social exclusion while the usage of IVF in MEDC represents an excellent substitute for the many humans that suffer from infertility. Due to IVF's inconsistent results with some couples, it can bring a profound amount of disappointment and can be seen in some cases as an ethical problem as Jew's and Christian's find it essential to reproduce as a whole. The social issues will be majorly discussed in the upcoming section for LEDCs and MEDCs as it has a profound effect on them.

Infertility is a significant problem in terms of LEDCs as it raises issues even unknown to those in developed countries. The inability of producing a child in a developing country is seen as a lack of inherent capability for the women, due to this the women may be shunned, disinherited or even accused to the extent of witchcraft. In some occasions, the women can be separated from their current spouse and placed in a polygamous marriage, which is identified as when a man is married to more than one spouse. The feeling of being entirely socially excluded can as well later lead to suicide and mental disorders. In some societies, discrimination towards the female may even mean denial of adulthood.

The women may not also be deemed acceptable for polygamous marriages and be considered a burden to the community. Overall in terms of significant reasons why women use IVF in developing countries is because it provides a gateway to fertility even if STDs are present and there is a significant social, moral and ethical needs from people in developing countries. Another problem that is wide spread is the limit of robust healthcare present in those societies therefore IVF is a very useful process though it’s often eliminated due to the high costs and economic problems.

On the other hand, the questioning of the inability to produce an offspring in a More educated society (MEDC), through questions such as 'Why have you not given birth to a child yet?' or 'Are you infertile' can be found as extremely unacceptable, socially in a more economically developed country. Thus meaning the use of IVF in an MEDC society is often linked to wanting a child or the country's low birth rates and influence on childbirth.

As a whole IVF can as well help patients with genetic fertility issues and overall sexually transmitted diseases etc. In some countries such as Denmark, the use of IVF is cheaper due to the lower birth rates present in that country. In Denmark, it's found to be extremely common to use IVF and is mostly funded by Denmark's generous state provision. Dr Sebestian Mora of Sweeden's Karlstad university further states 'Reproduction has become a national project rather than an individual project in Denmark.' Though in countries focussing on restricting overpopulation, IVF can be found as a costly treatment (Proctor).

To conclude the entirety of the essay, we have reviewed the process of IVF intricately through each step and further discussed on the religious and social factors which contribute to the usage and support towards IVF. Concluding the essay, we discussed the usage of IVF in MEDC's and LEDC's and the significant factors thoroughly. IVF is an overall beneficial treatment though in some cases, it's important to always take precautions and make sure the treatment fits the patients. It's still essential to gather the effects and understand how the medication may not be right for you. IVF as a whole is an extremely beneficial fertility treatment and at times may help refrain from social and religious problems as a whole.