Medical technology has advanced to allow numerous ways to fertilize an egg and induce pregnancy. This has even allowed post-menopausal women and same-sex couples to conceive a baby. This means some children have as many as three mothers (genetic, birth, and social) and two fathers (genetic and social).
The growing options of fertility treatments and solutions have created increasing complexities (social, ethical, and legal) for the children born from these technologies.
Ariel and Karl have been married for 15 years when they decide to start a family. Ariel is 48 years old and Karl is 51. They enroll with a fertility clinic in their city. There is an upper age limit of 50 at this clinic, so Ariel is anxious to get started. Although healthy in all other respects, Ariel is in menopause and no longer ovulates.
Consider what Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) procedures may be available to this couple. Use the SART FAQ (link can be found in your reading list) to gain understanding of types of ART.
a)Describe at least two different ART processes and discuss which process you think would be better for this couple..and why.
b)Do you think it is appropriate for the clinic to have an upper age limit? Why or Why not?
c)If a donor is used, do you think the child (and parents) should have access to the donors medical/family history?
Donors may be paid for their sperm or eggs. Should parents of IVF embryos have the option to donate (or sell?) their unused embryos for use in stem cell research and applications?
http://www.sciencemadesimple.co.uk/curriculum-blogs/biology-blogs/understanding-stem-cell-research
https://www.cnn.com/2017/02/09/health/embryo-skin-cell-ivg/index.html
https://web.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/project/timeline.shtml
