Britian May Ban Twins Through IVF
The British government, which offers socialized medicine to its citizens, is considering a policy that would prevent women who get pregnant through IVF from having twins because twins face greater health risks than single births.
The Sunday Times of London reported that the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority says the policy will reduce the health risks to mothers and babies and cut costs to the National Health Service's neonatal units.
The article stated:
"But infertile couples fear the move could endanger their chances of becoming parents. Some women say it is up to them if they wish to risk complications in pregnancy.
"At present two embryos are normally implanted. This boosts the chance of pregnancy but has also led to 40 percent of babies born after IVF in Britain being twins. For babies conceived naturally there is only a one in 80 chance of twins.
"Twins are four times more likely to suffer from cerebral palsy; five times more likely to be put on a ventilator after birth; and more than twice as likely to need admission to a neonatal intensive care unit.
"Shirley Harrison, the HFEA chairman, said: 'All indicators for the health of the baby are worse for twins. Mothers, too, are more likely to have dangerous complications.'
"The new policy will apply to IVF treatment on the NHS and from private clinics. "
The questions of becoming pregnant through this artificial means, creating numerous embryos and deciding what to do with those you don't want implanted in your uterus are nagging ones.
British women who don't want to limit their chances of having a baby can follow the example of their stateside counterparts who don't have insurance coverage for this procedure: Pay for it yourself.
Check out this article for the Catholic Church's position on IVF:
http://www.americancatholic.org/Messenger/Apr1997/feature1.asp
The Sunday Times of London reported that the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority says the policy will reduce the health risks to mothers and babies and cut costs to the National Health Service's neonatal units.
The article stated:
"But infertile couples fear the move could endanger their chances of becoming parents. Some women say it is up to them if they wish to risk complications in pregnancy.
"At present two embryos are normally implanted. This boosts the chance of pregnancy but has also led to 40 percent of babies born after IVF in Britain being twins. For babies conceived naturally there is only a one in 80 chance of twins.
"Twins are four times more likely to suffer from cerebral palsy; five times more likely to be put on a ventilator after birth; and more than twice as likely to need admission to a neonatal intensive care unit.
"Shirley Harrison, the HFEA chairman, said: 'All indicators for the health of the baby are worse for twins. Mothers, too, are more likely to have dangerous complications.'
"The new policy will apply to IVF treatment on the NHS and from private clinics. "
The questions of becoming pregnant through this artificial means, creating numerous embryos and deciding what to do with those you don't want implanted in your uterus are nagging ones.
British women who don't want to limit their chances of having a baby can follow the example of their stateside counterparts who don't have insurance coverage for this procedure: Pay for it yourself.
Check out this article for the Catholic Church's position on IVF:
http://www.americancatholic.org/Messenger/Apr1997/feature1.asp
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