New York Times Article: Scientists Raise Questions About Genetic Risks and IVF
Genetic Risks and In-Vitro-Fertilisation
- Are there subtle changes in an embryo growing for several days in a Petri dish?
- Would there be any consequences?
- Are there changes in gene expressions or in developmental patterns being obvious at birth or not?
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- The issues have nothing to do with the chances of having twins or even octuplets, as it just happened in California.
- There may be some abnormal patterns of gene expression and as well a possible increase in rare but devastating genetic disorders.
- Also, there is an increased risk of premature (verfrüht) birth and of babies with low birth weight.
- Slightly increased risk of several birth defects (hole between the two chambers of the heart, a cleft lip or palate, an improperly developed oesophagus, a malformed rectum)
- Three percent chance that any given baby will have a birth defect.
- If problems appear from epigenetic changes, they may not be apparent until adulthood or middle or old age.
Researchers’ comments:
- “There is a growing consensus in the clinical community that there are risks” – researcher Richard M. Schultz
- “Even if there was a slight increase in abnormalities, the rate was not much higher than in the general population.”
- In conclusion more knowledge is required and as researches say “the perfect study hasn’t been done”
- Researches say they believe IVF does not carry excessive risks.
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