There is a couple in B.C. who want to use a procedure called pre-implantation genetic diagnosis as part of an IVF attempt to produce a sibling match for their eight year old son in need of a bone marrow transplant. The procedure itself is more commonly used by couples who carry genetic markers for a variety of genetic illnesses. Many of which are fatal. The hospital in B.C. turned the couple down for IVF citing ethical concerns, but they also added that the mother, at 47, was far too old to produce viable eggs for the procedure anyway.
Having been through two cycles of IVF myself at age 37, I know that once a woman hits her mid-forties most reputable IVF clinics will not do IVF unless the couple consents to using donor eggs. All those mid – 40’s and older movie stars who turn up PG without copping to IVF via donor egg are not doing the general public a favor by perpetuating the myth that women at mid-life can easily achieve pregnancy. The women who do get pregnant – “naturally” or through IVF with their own eggs – are freaks of nature, so to speak, because we really weren’t meant to do this. We are designed to wind down and stop producing viable eggs and therefore ceasing to be able to have babies. Not fair? Sure. Men can still impregnate after all, but don’t think that they are still sending their best guys into action. The older the father is the more likely there are to be genetic problems with any embryos created. Older men tend to father children with much younger women whose eggs are still primo. It’s not him. It’s her.
I can’t imagine the pain of this poor couple, but I wonder at the clinic that is essentially bilking them of $30,000.
