Controversy Over Suggestion to Implant Two Embryos

A new study published in The Lancet has been gathering controversy after its authors suggested that the government should allow fertility clinics to implant two embryos if the mother, her partner and the clinic believe that it is in their best interests. Currently implanting more than one embryo is banned in some countries such as Sweden and Belgium while the British government too is slowly moving towards the one embryo policy as it is believed that implanting two or more embryos increases the possibility of twins being born.

However Bristol University’s Professor Debbie Lawlor and Glasgow University’s Professor Scott Nelson said that implanting two embryos increased the chances of a successful treatment. Both the researchers analyzed more than 124,000 IVF treatments and found that the chances of successful births were more among those patients who had been implanted with two embryos.

Speaking to The Guardian, Professor Lawlor said that while implanting three embryos should be banned, there should be no legislation against implanting two embryos. “In terms of UK policy, we would say you shouldn't transfer three to women of any age, but I think there should not be legislation to try to enforce transferring one to younger women and two to older women. Guidance should be based on prognostic indicators”, she said.



Source-Medindia