Fertilized Egg example essay topic

In Vitro Fertilization In vito fertilization is a technique used to fertilize an egg outside of the woman's body, usually done because of the failure of conception with normal sexual intercourse. For pregnancy to occur, a sperm must unite with an egg released from the ovary during sexual intercourse. Normally this joining, called fertilization, happens within the fallopian tube, which joins the ovary to the uterus. However, in some situations natural conception cannot occur because of factors affecting the couples' fertility. In Vitro fertilization permits for the amalgamation of the male sperm cell and the female egg to happen in a laboratory instead of taking place in the fallopian tubes where this process would ordinarily happen. When looking at in vito it seems to be a blessing to couples that cannot have children on their own.

It seems to be a way for science to triumph over nature. But in that description lays the controversy. To some this procedure is a life giving miracle that provides an opportunity for couples, who are by any other means unable to conceive a child, a second chance at bringing life into this world. While others would argue the ethical point claiming that this process is just a cover for infanticide and causing humans to play God. The moral question that arises from this procedure is: in allowing or assisting sperm to penetrate an egg when without help it would have otherwise not been able to do so, are we unnaturally, by human machination, over-riding one of nature's barricades to inhibit fertilization? Also, if there is some sort of natural check and a reason that certain sperm fail to reach the egg, could it possible be for good reason that they do not?

Is it possible that the sperm is ineffective because it obtains some genetic defect that would cause the child some form of inherited disease or some other deficiency? In other words, maybe there is some sort of natural or God-given rationale for filtering out some sperm. If this is true then we could be risking the possibility of manufacturing deformities and inherited diseases by assisting in the overcoming of a theological barrier. The process of IVF involves five major steps: the first step being the monitoring of the development of the follicles in the woman's ovaries. The second is aspiration of the follicle's contents and identification of the eggs. Then thirdly, obtaining a semen specimen from the male partner.

The fourth step is the processing of the eggs and sperm in the laboratory, enabling fertilization and embryo growth to occur. The fifth and final step is the transferring of the embryo (s) into the uterus. (web) To manage the egg's release timing and to increase the amount of eggs collected, the woman will be given stimulating hormones in the ovaries that are selected specifically for her individual condition. To establish that the egg's development is suitable, the woman will be given ultrasound scans of her ovaries to observe images of the enlarging follicles which hold the eggs. Her hormone levels are checked as well, this is done by taking a succession of blood samples.

By using the above information the doctor will determine when to give an injection that will cause a final ripening of her eggs and also when to plan the egg retrieval. The doctor will use a trans vaginal ultrasound to guide a needle to retrieve the egg. Then an ultrasound probe is placed into the woman's vagina in order to visualize the follicles in the ovary. Then a needle is guided through the vaginal wall into the follicle. Then they will withdraw fluid from the follicle, which will hopefully contain the egg. This is called follicular aspiration.

During this process, which could take under 30 minutes, the patient receives sedation intravenously. The timing for this procedure is very important because if they attempt to retrieve the egg too early then it may not develop correctly in the laboratory, and if it is too late then the eggs might not develop or could be lost because of the release from the ovary. After a successful retrieval, the patient is permitted to rest for awhile before going home. The fluid that is obtained during the egg recovery are then isolated and mixed with properly processed sperm in a laboratory. This combination is put inside incubators to let fertilization take place. Twelve to sixteen hours later, the eggs are viewed for fertilization and put into a fresh culture medium so that it can continue to grow.

When cell division happens in the fertilized egg it is then called an embryo. The embryos that have developed adequately are put inside of the woman's uterus anywhere from three to five days following the egg retrieval. This process requires a of the vagina and then a transferring of the embryo (s) through a small catheter in to the uterus. This is a short, painless process that does not require any sedation. Then it is recommended that the patient gets rest for a few days following the transfer. (web) The IVF process is a fairly simple one, yet it is not cheap. The average cost of one cycle of IVF is approximately $12,400. (web. html) There are a variety of reasons for a couple's infertility.

There are several problems that can occur that IVF could be helpful in resolving such as when a woman's fallopian tubes are damaged or blocked, and tubal surgery is unsuccessful. This is the most common reason for IVF. Another problem could be when the number, movement, or structure of the sperm is irregular and fails to react to treatment. IVF can and has helped couples overcome problems similar to these. But if a couple is willing to make that financial sacrifice in order to bring a child of their own into the world then I believe that they deserve every opportunity possible to help them.

This process of IVF is still new, the first reported successful IVF procedure was recorded in 1981 and since then more than 114,000 babies have been born with this method. (web) As of this time their has been no reports of any problems occurring with those who were born as part of the in vito procedure. So until there is evidence showing that this process can cause some sort of defect in the babies I do not see any reason why people should not be allowed to do it. In regards to the ethical dilemma of IVF I do not think that anyone can play God because it is God who gives us the knowledge and resources to be able to learn and to explore into scientific advances. No one opposes when science is used for the goodness of curing a disease because that helps save lives. But with this kind of scientific advances it is creating a new life, and I see no reason why we should not use all the resources we have in advancing this scientific process and helping to create life to give a couple a child that they can call their own. This procedure is merely used to help create life where it needs assistance.

The only part of the process that is a moral concern for some people is when the embryo is disposed of instead of being used. Some may view that as being a form of abortion. But in the attempt to create new life is it not acceptable to dispose of some embryos in order plant that one in the womb which will be successful in creating a child? I would say yes that is acceptable, but others would disagree.

Another argument that comes up with this topic is the thought of should the parents looking to get the IVF be screened as they do when you are adopting a child? Those who argue yes they should say that some parents just are not fit to be parents and for example, a 59 year old woman back in 1993 used the IVF process in order to have a child. She ended up having twins. Those who believe that you should be screened before being allowed to go through with this argued by saying that she should not have been allowed to go through with it because she will no doubt die when her children are still young. They say that is has to do with the interest and the welfare of the child you are bringing into the world. They thought that this was not a good situation for a child to be brought into. (web) In my opinion a screening of parents before they are allowed to go through with is ludicrous and none of anyone's business.

I say this because if there is no screening for every couple who has a child naturally, then why should there be one for those who need some assistance? The reason for the screening of adopting parents is because for every child that is looking to get adopted, there are several families looking to adopt them. So they have to screen the families looking to adopt in order to find the best match for the child to go to. But then to make the argument that the woman was not putting her children in a positive situation because of her age was again, preposterous. That is like saying that a mother from the city should not be allowed to have a child because the mother lives in a bad neighborhood and could get shot and killed one day and then the baby would have to grow up motherless. Presumptions on a situation like this are entirely unnecessary and inappropriate.

So is IVF a medical marvel or malicious murder? This is an argument that does not seem to have an end anywhere in the near future. But regardless of what side you are on, the continued research will help us in furthering our education and advancing our knowledge of this controversial matter.