Post #2

Although the octuplet debate is what initially grabbed my attention, I'm leaning toward focusing on the pro's and con's of in vitro fertilization in a more general light. In vitro fertilization and the decisions that must be made in regard to it affect millions of families every year. The Suleman case is just one such situation. Looking at the in vitro fertilization debate offers more opportunity to look at even more cases and perspectives.

Pro's for In Vitro Fertilization with multiple embryos:
- If a family can only afford one round of treatment, they may want to be REALLY sure that pregnancy occurs. More embryos means a greater chance of pregnancy and it would only require a family to pay for one round of the treatment, rather than three or four.
- The government should not have involvement in reproductive choice. The multiple embryos is a personal decision.
- There are currently no laws in the United States restricting the number of embryos that can be placed in a mother's womb.
- Some women may WANT to have multiples.
- Selective abortion is an option.

Con's for In Vitro Fertilization with multiple embryos:
- Women who are pregnant with multiples usually give birth prematurely. A premature birth increases health risks such as cerebral palsy, heart failure, and lung failure, for the babies significantly.
- In many hospitals, over half of the babies in the NICU are premies. Looking after so many babies that resulted from In Vitro causes huge bills for the intensive care units, bills that some people see as avoidable if fewer eggs were implanted during IVF.
- Fertility doctors are awarded for high pregnancy rates at their clinic. Such a reward system encourages doctors to push the limit in terms of planting as many embryos as possible. If stricter regulations were made, doctors may be more concerned about their patients' health rather than boosting pregnancy rates.
- If IVF runs amok and more babies are born than expected, it can be very difficult for families to provide for the children, especially in the current economy.
- Those who have a rarity of multiples (like Suleman's octuplets) can use the children to get into the media spotlight.

My Opinion: I feel that there should be a law that limits the number of embryos implanted during IVF in accordance with a woman's age, physical health, and economic stability. The risks that doctors take to increase their clinic's pregnancy rates are absurd. When the norm is three embryos and a doctor (in particular, Dr. Kamrava) implants six, there is too much grey area for things to go wrong. People should be entitled to have children through IVF, but doctors need stricter guidelines in order to ensure the safety of their patients, the babies, and to reduce hospital expenses. Parents also need to be economically qualified before undergoing the treatment, just as adoptive parents need to pass certain economic specifications.