The Biotechnology of In Vitro Fertilization

The Biotechnology of In Vitro Fertilization

Abstract

A lot of concern about biotechnology comes with the introduction of new ideas. It captures various phrases among them being the use of in Vitro fertilization. Science is evoking more benefits than risks as people perceive and show complex emotions about this technology taken from data on public opinions sometimes through the technology promotion campaigns. Awareness to this issue is thus essential as it is discrete to promoting societal bioethical maturity and shun out of fear. Biotechnology is the application of techniques implied in an organism’s body or parts of the body to bring about service and goods provision. It makes use of the living systems and plants in biology to modify or bring about products for a purported use. In vitro fertilization is the application of this technology deemed to fertilize, develop embryo, or implant for impregnation.

In Vitro Fertilization and Biotechnology

In vitro fertilization meets the requirements of biotechnology by enhancing reproductive efficiency through siring offsprings with the seeds being taken from superior to increase the productivity of genetically infertile animals or humans. It is efficient and economical and involves a female egg made from the ovaries of the desired donors. The egg picks up is a non-surgical ultrasound technique involving ovaries aspiration of immature oocytes using a needle. It then follows their maturation, fertilization and the culturing until they can be non-surgically transferred or freeze.

Performance of the process

In vitro fertilization process involves five steps which are stimulation, egg retrieval, insemination, embryo culture and transfer. Stimulation consists of the use of multiple eggs for the viability of the embryo and may include the use of fertility drugs. Regular blood tests and ultrasound are essential for the knowledge of eggs production. Follicular aspiration is the egg retrieval procedure done surgically with anaesthesia. Ultrasound wand inserts a needle into the vagina, ovary or an egg follicle to suck them out. Insemination involves the provision of a male semen sample. The sperms and the eggs are mixed in a petri dish. The embryo culture consists of a monitoring process of the fertilized egg to affirm their division and development. The embryos will then have to be genetically tested. The final process is the transfer and involves implantation after the embryos have grown to the desired size. It is done between the periods of three to five days. A catheter is inserted into the vagina to reach the uterus where the embryo is released. The process is complete with the embryo implantation into the uterine wall and is affirmed through a blood test.

Application uses

The application has various purposes. The primary form is the curbing of infertility applied in women, especially over the age of forty years. Fallopian tubes may also sometimes be blocked or damaged, or the ovary fails to function effectively. It is also vital where there is the problem of endometriosis and uterine fibroids. It is also applied to cases where men have infertility like low sperm count, or the sperms are abnormally shaped. These are all generally effective in solving the cases of infertility. It also helps parents to avoid the recurrence of genetic diseases to their offspring if the embryos are tested and found to have genetic abnormalities.

Benefit, Risks and Drawbacks

In vitro, fertilization has its associated risks. When it is done in multiple cases, there are high chances of low birth weight and premature births. Sometimes it may not be sufficient, and a miscarriage may be the result. During the process, the eggs may implant outside the uterus and thus cause ectopic pregnancy. It may also result in ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, a condition of excess fluid in the abdomen and chest. There are also chances of a rare disease involving bleeding, infection and bowels or bladder damages. The benefit of the application of in vitro fertilization is the help it gives to people who would have not otherwise conceived. A drawback is that it may sometimes not be successful and may thus cause side effects such as the hyperstimulation syndrome.

Ethical Concern

The ethics of in vitro fertilization involves a relationship between the physician and the infertile couple, where the affected offspring is involved and the expected one and a general relationship to the community. The decision taken should not cause any harm. Embryos not implanted to the woman’s uterus should be used for other research or be destroyed. When the process is effective, further embryonic development should be stopped through selective pregnancy reduction.

Conclusion

In vitro, fertilization is a vital technological process although it has various problems with its implantation .Health insurance should have a direct concern to this issue to determine its accessibility. There should be the selection of a particular age group that will be application nto this technology .It should then be done ethically. Thus the paper meets the demands as per the rubrics.