Are IVF clinics hiding the risks of PGD from parents?

American couples who have pre-implantation genetic diagnosis
(PGD) done on their embryos are almost never informed of the potential risks of the procedure, a Wellesley College biologist claims in the Journal
of Medical Ethics.
Without this vital information, says Michelle LaBonte, parents are not capable of giving informed consent.
PGD, or embryo screening, has become a standard service in IVF clinics. A technician removes a cell from an 8-cell embryo and tests it for
defects. If it passes, it is implanted in the womb.
In a potentially explosive article, Dr LaBonte asserts that “In efforts to eliminate risk through the use of PGD, we may in fact be creating a new set of risks perhaps even more concerning than those we are trying to
avoid.” She bases her claims on a survey of the websites of the 262 US clinics offering PGD. She found that “86.6% of PGD-performing centres state that PGD is safe and/or fail to disclose any risks on their websites despite the fact that the impact of the procedure on the long-term health of offspring is unproven”.
IVF clinics have adopted the PGD technology for a wide range of uses -- from eliminating defective embryos to testing for genetic defects to
sex selection -- without a thorough understanding of the risks involved. She cites an IVF specialist who admitted ruefully that “[T]he babies that have
resulted aren't of reproductive age yet, and we don't know what sort of effects this technique has on the adult human… And I think that I consider it still experimental taking a cell from an embryo.”
She points out that this has happened before. For years amniocentesis was touted as completely safe until studies showed that there was an increased risk of spontaneous abortion.

Dr LaBonte speculates about why the risks of PGD are being
ignored. She gives six reasons:
* Parents were so concerned about the genetic disease of a first
child that they overlooked the risks of PGD for a second child.
* Doctors allayed the misgivings of parents.
* Parental choice trumps the dangers to the embryo: “Unlike ‘passive smokers,’ potential biopsied embryos are not in a position to seek regulation of this procedure.”
* Debate over the ethics of using PGD to create “designer babies” has
distracted parents’ attention from its safety.
* There have been no widely-publicised catastrophic failures yet.
* “The financial rewards of PGD represent a conflict of interest for
providers.”
Dr LaBonte concludes IVF clinics must inform their clients that PGD is still an unproven technology.
“prospective parents of PGD babies should be made aware of all
safety information, including that of human and animal studies, and be informed that long-term, definitive safety studies have not yet been carried out.
Anything less should not be considered ‘informed’ consent.”
Source: bioedge.org

Babies with three parents possible within three years

The child would inherit their identity from
their mother and father but would take their
mitochondrial DNA from the donor

Babies with three biological parents could be a reality within three years using an IVF technique which eradicates hereditary disease by using the undamaged DNA of a third party.
Researchers have secured £6m in funding to develop the groundbreaking treatment which could prevent genetic conditions affecting the heart, muscle or brain being passed on to children and future generations.
But the method is controversial because it involves transferring the parents' DNA into a donor egg, meaning the resulting child would inherit a tiny fraction of their genetic coding from a third party.
Regulations currently forbid scientists from implanting such eggs into patients.
SOURCE: telegraph.co.uk

Something New in Southeast Fertility Treatment: Low-Cost IVF

For those who desire to become parents, but have trouble getting pregnant, these are optimistic times. Advances in fertility medicine, such in vitro fertilization (IVF) and PGD (pre-implantation genetic diagnosis), provide new options that weren’t available in the past.
But all that advanced medicine comes with a price. IVF treatment can easily cost $25,000 and up, with no guarantee of success. That puts fertility treatment out of reach for many.
Two Georgia infertility specialists are hoping to change all that. Drs. Edouard Servy and Joe Massey founded the Servy Massey Fertility Institute (SMFI) in August 2011 with the belief that fertility treatment should be more accessible to all.
SMFI’s goal is to provide IVF treatment at reduced prices, offering initial in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles for only $6,575 – almost half the cost offered at many other clinics nationwide. The goal is to provide exceptional and affordable fertility care so patients can pursue their dream of having children.
Servy and Massey are both pioneers in reproductive endocrinology and the treatment of infertility, and have been helping patients build families for more than 30 years.
The Servy Massey Fertility Institute has locations in Atlanta and Augusta and works in collaboration with the Georgia Health Sciences University. The fertility docs say they are committed to eliminating hidden costs and unnecessary testing, recommending assisted reproduction only when conventional treatment fails or is not an option.
Sara and Kirby Yawn are just one family that found help at SMFI. The Yawns came face-to-face with infertility when Kirby was diagnosed with low sperm quality. Sara had already tried several treatments, including ovulation stimulation medication and a cycle of intrauterine insemination (IUI), but pregnancy seemed no closer for the Georgia couple.
Finally, Sara and Kirby met with Dr. Edouard Servy at the Augusta office to discuss in vitro fertilization (IVF).
“Dr. Servy reviewed our case and explained what he thought was the best option,” Sara says. “He was very thorough in helping us understand the entire process and was optimistic that our success rate would be high.”
In the past, the high cost of fertility treatment – especially IVF, one of the most expensive treatments – has been a barrier for many couples diagnosed with infertility. But with the creation of SMFI, Drs. Massey and Servy can work together to provide infertility solutions at affordable prices. The institute’s unique low cost program not only provides affordable treatment to hopeful couples, but continues to keep a high standard of quality and results.
“Because of the skill set required for a successful IVF procedure and the number of people involved, the cost of in vitro fertilization can be very pricey,” Dr. Massey explains. “At the Servy Massey Fertility Institute, we take pride in our expertise and never cut corners, but we also believe that everyone should have the opportunity to build a family. This is why we’ve taken great care to reduce costs wherever possible to offer affordable, low cost IVF.”
IVF is often one of the only ways for a couple diagnosed with infertility to achieve pregnancy, but has a high success rate – one of the reasons the SMFI team decided to pursue a low-cost IVF program.
For Sara and Kirby Yawn, IVF was just what they needed. After a few months of treatment, the couple found out they were pregnant. Lilian Grace Yawn was born the next year.
“We named her Lilian, which means pure, innocence and beauty, and Grace, which is a blessing from God,” Sara says. Although they know having more children may not be easy, for now Kirby and Sara are thankful to have one of their biggest dreams – parenthood – come true.

SOURCE: 2whbf.com

DuoFertility Or IVF For Infertile Couples?

duo fertility monitor

A new study published in European Obstetrics & Gynaecology (European Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 2011;6(2):92-4) shows that DuoFertility used for six months (a small body-worn monitor coupled with an expert consultancy service) gives the same chance of pregnancy as a cycle of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) for many infertile couples. This study demonstrates that there is a viable non-invasive, drug-free alternative to IVF for thousands of couples, with the potential to save them (and the NHS) millions of pounds each year. The paper, by Chausiaux et al, is the first peer-reviewed publication of clinical pregnancy rates using the new DuoFertility product and service. The lead author, Dr. Oriane Chausiaux, has been researching infertility for over a decade in Paris and Cambridge. Summarising the results, she said "Although we have been observing higher than anticipated pregnancy rates with this programme for some time, and reporting this at academic conferences, this is the first study with sufficient statistical power to meet the stringent criteria of the peer review publication process. The results show that for couples suffering from unexplained infertility as well as a variety of other factors, six months using DuoFertility is as effective as a cycle of IVF and twelve months using DuoFertility yields a higher clinical pregnancy rate than a cycle of IVF - even at the 95% confidence level". The study followed the first 500 couples using DuoFertility from launch in 2009, including 242 who qualified for IVF/ICSI treatment, of whom 90 had previously had the procedure. The one-year clinical pregnancy rate for those who qualified for IVF was 39%, which is higher than either the UK or EU clinical pregnancy rates for a cycle of IVF (26% and 28% respectively), whilst the corresponding rate for those who had already been through a cycle of IVF/ICSI was 28%. The impact of the study by Chausiaux et al is clear. For many couples, not only is IVF invasive for the woman and demeaning for the man, it is a procedure needlessly costing the NHS, or the couple themselves, thousands of pounds. Whilst a typical cycle of IVF costs the NHS around £4,500 including drugs and consultancy, the cost in the private sector (which accounts for 80% of IVF procedures performed in the UK) is typically £7,000. By comparison the DuoFertility program offers a year of monitoring and support for £495 and has now been shown to be equally or more likely to achieve pregnancy. Not only this, but the company offers to refund those couples who have not achieved pregnancy after a year of using DuoFertility as directed - a guarantee that caught the attention of TV 'dragon' Theo Paphitis and and Boots, the UK's leading pharmacy-led health and beauty retailer, resulting in the product being stocked by Boots after appearing on the BBC documentary series "Britain's Next Big Thing" earlier this year. The publication coincides with reaching the 200th reported pregnancy by users of DuoFertility, which was celebrated with a party hosted by medical personality Dr. Miriam Stoppard. Dr. Stoppard, addressing the assembled parents and parents-to-be, said "[it is] the first product or service that I have seen in this arena which truly wraps around all of the needs of the couple, from the medical monitoring, to the review of this data by experts, and then the all-important emotional support that is provided."..."The results of the scientific studies on pregnancy rate are very encouraging, but do need to be followed up with live birth rates, and I look forward to seeing further research." IVF and assisted reproductive technologies have been in the spotlight recently with a damning report from the All Party Parliamentary Group on Infertility. The report showed that fewer than one-quarter of NHS Primary Care Trusts are providing the number of IVF cycles recommended by the NHS guidelines, and that there is widespread evidence of PCTs adding extra conditions on infertile couples that prevent them obtaining treatment. Gareth Johnson, MP leading the group, said "One in Seven couples in the UK suffer from infertility problems, indeed more women attend GP surgeries to obtain advice on infertility than any issue other than pregnancy. This shows just how big an issue infertility is for so many people". It is perhaps not surprising therefore that Cambridge Temperature Concepts, the company behind DuoFertility, was recently recognised at Downing St as one of nine innovative small businesses to help reduce costs in the public sector through the Cabinet Office Innovation Launchpad programme. The study authors caution that although non-invasive and drug-free, DuoFertility is not suitable for all couples. Dr. Husheer, inventor of DuoFertility explained "although DuoFertility is suitable for around 80% of infertile couples, there are some couples with medically identified conditions that prevent natural conception, such as a woman with two blocked fallopian tubes. In these cases IVF is absolutely the right thing to do, enabling conception where it was previously a physical impossibility."
source: medicalnewstoday

Palm Beach Fertility Center Now Offering Treatment Regimen Featuring Acupuncture Alongside IVF

The Palm Beach Fertility Center has recently announced that they are now offering a new form of treatment for couples that have been unable to conceive a child naturally. The experienced medical specialists within the facility have developed a treatment regimen that combines the benefits of acupuncture and IVF to increase the chances of a successful pregnancy.

This additional service is the result of a new study within the field that suggests that women who paired their IVF treatment with acupuncture had a 65% greater chance of becoming pregnant through the treatment. This study was released through the reputable and established British Medical Journal and included 114 women who had been approved for IVF treatment. It found that, of the women who received acupuncture, there were fewer miscarriages, more pregnancies and a 7% higher birth rate than those who did not receive the acupuncture treatment.

This study was founded upon previous research by the same medical team in which they studied 147 women who had responded poorly to IVF treatment. This previous study found that the pregnancy rate was 40%, with 11% more babies born for those who received acupuncture during their scheduled IVF treatment.

Renowned worldwide fertility treatment experts such as Raymond Chang of New York’s Meridian Medical Group have been using acupuncture within their fertility treatments for the past decade and have experienced great success.

"Acupuncture provides better circulation and better blood flow to the womb. It will give a better chance for the eggs to be nourished and therefore carried." - Dr. Raymond Chang, Director of New York's Meridian Medical Group

Now, with this additional treatment offering through the Palm Beach Fertility Center, many women from across the South Florida area will have an increased opportunity to conceive a child of their own.

SOURCE: PR.COM

Heavier women may have less IVF success

The heavier a woman is, the more trouble she may have getting pregnant and having a baby through in vitro fertilization, or IVF -- and may lose the baby more often, according to a U.S. study.

Researchers led by Barbara Luke of Michigan State University found that women who were overweight or obese were less likely to become pregnant using fertility treatments than normal-weight women.

Past studies have also hinted at worse IVF outcomes in heavier women, although they don't prove that the extra weight is directly responsible for the reproductive troubles those women experience.

"Treatment and pregnancy failures with increasing obesity significantly increased starting with overweight women," Luke and her colleagues wrote in Fertility and Sterility.

They drew data from a reporting system that includes more than 90 percent of IVF treatments done in the United States -- information on 150,000 fertility treatment cycles done in 2007 and 2008 at 361 different clinics.

For each cycle, the reporting system included whether the cycle was canceled, if it led to a pregnancy, and whether that pregnancy ended early in a miscarriage or stillbirth, or if the woman gave birth to a live baby. For most cycles, it also had data on women's height and weight before starting treatment.

From the beginning through the end of fertility treatment, heavy women saw poorer results.

"We know that being overweight and obese is not good (for IVF), it's just how bad is it and where are the bad effects?" said Brian Cooper of Mid-Iowa Fertility in Clive, who wasn't involved in the study.

About nine percent of cycles in normal-weight women were stopped early, compared to 16 percent of cycles in the heaviest women -- those with a body mass index over 50, which is equivalent to a 1.6 meter (5 foot 5 inch) woman who weighs over 136 kg (300 pounds).

Normal weight women had a 43 percent chance of getting pregnant during each cycle using their own, fresh eggs for IVF, compared to 36 percent for very heavy women. Rates for overweight and less obese women fell in between.

For women who did get pregnant, the trend continued, with the heaviest about twice as likely as normal-weight women to lose the baby in many cases.

For overweight and obese women trying to get pregnant, even a little bit of weight loss helps, said Howard McClamrock, an infertility specialist at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore.

"This is what we're constantly faced with: ideally she might like to lose weight, but she might not have that much time," added McClamrock, who was not involved in the study.

Though he noted that research has been pointing more and more toward a connection between extra weight and worse IVF outcomes, the reason is unclear.

One explanation is that extra fat tissue releases estrogen, which fools the brain into thinking the ovaries are working when they really aren't, so it doesn't do its part to kick the ovaries into gear, Cooper said.

Luke and her colleagues said that thin and heavy women may have different causes of infertility, though they added that they did not have data on lifestyle factors that may affect IVF success, or any data on the male partners.

Thin and normal-weight women generally had higher rates of endometriosis, in which cells from the lining of the womb grow on other organs. Polycystic ovary syndrome, where the ovaries become enlarged and contain several small cysts, were more common in very heavy women.

Cooper said that weight still isn't as big an issue for fertility as age, or whether a woman smokes.

"Weight isn't everything, but it's an important factor that we have control over. Fix it now, because even a little bit (of weight loss) can make a big difference," he added. SOURCE: bit.ly/pjwsra

(Reporting by Genevra Pittman at Reuters Health; editing by Elaine Lies)

Fertility Meds Work, Stress Or Not

Stressed by the fact that you are trying to get pregnant? Not to worry, the stress you are experiencing won't impact the effectiveness of the fertility drugs you may be taking, so don't sweat it. Stress and tension don't decrease the success of a woman's fertility treatment, a new study suggests.

Three and a half thousand women that took fertility treatments were surveyed in 14 studies for the presence of stress and anxiety compared to levels before they begun treatments. Many women believe that emotional distress can reduce their chances of becoming pregnant naturally or having success with fertility treatments, but the researchers say that's a mistaken idea based on anecdotal evidence and myths.

The results proved that there is no association between emotional distress and the likelihood of becoming pregnant.

Jacky Boivin, a professor in the School of Psychology at Cardiff University in Wales states:

"These findings should reassure women that emotional distress caused by fertility problems or other life events co-occurring with treatment will not compromise their chance of becoming pregnant."

Health experts say that about 15 percent of couples are infertile. Infertility means not being able to get pregnant after one year of trying. Or, six months, if a woman is 35 or older. Women who can get pregnant but are unable to stay pregnant may also be infertile.

Infertility treatment can be physically uncomfortable, time-consuming, exhausting, and costly, all without a guarantee of success. The infertility experience for many can range from multiple diagnostic procedures through progressively more aggressive treatment options, all of which impose demands upon the emotional and physical self. It's no wonder that many women experience severe stress, depression, or anxiety during treatment for infertility.

Medical treatment of infertility generally involves the use of fertility medication, medical device, surgery, or a combination of these.

If the sperm are of good quality and the mechanics of the woman's reproductive structures are good (patent fallopian tubes, no adhesions or scarring), physicians may start by prescribing a course of ovarian stimulating medication. The physician may also suggest using a conception cap cervical cap, which the patient uses at home by placing the sperm inside the cap and putting the conception device on the cervix, or intrauterine insemination (IUI), in which the doctor introduces sperm into the uterus during ovulation, via a catheter. In these methods, fertilization occurs inside the body.

If conservative medical treatments fail to achieve a full term pregnancy, the physician may suggest the patient undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF). IVF and related techniques (ICSI, ZIFT, GIFT) are called assisted reproductive technology (ART) techniques.

ART techniques generally start with stimulating the ovaries to increase egg production. After stimulation, the physician surgically extracts one or more eggs from the ovary, and unites them with sperm in a laboratory setting, with the intent of producing one or more embryos. Fertilization takes place outside the body, and the fertilized egg is reinserted into the woman's reproductive tract, in a procedure called embryo transfer.

In 2007 the FDA cleared the first at home tier one medical conception device to aid in conception. The key to the kit are cervical caps for conception. This at home insemination method allows all the semen to be placed up against the cervical os for six hours allowing all available sperm to be placed directly on the cervical os. For low sperm count, low sperm motility, or a tilted cervix using a cervical cap will aid in conception.

SOURCE:MEDICAL NEWS TODAY