Wednesday, October 04, 2006

85 out of 100 embryos wasted

There is a significant amount of "embryo wastage" during in vitro fertilization (IVF) and other assisted reproductive techniques, according to research released yesterday by the Yale School of Medicine.

The study, in fact, found that 85 percent of embryos transferred during the processes fail to become live births because of "shortfalls" in procedures meant to help infertile couples.

"Something in nature has decided that these implanted embryos are not viable," said Dr. Pasquale Patrizio, an obstetrics professor and author of the study, which analyzed patient data from American fertility clinics from 1995 through 2001.

"We as practitioners in the reproductive clinic are in a paradoxical situation," Dr. Patrizio said. "There is pressure to reduce multiple births, but we need to do so knowing that the majority of the embryos that are transferred do not implant. It is difficult to strike a balance between these two needs."

The Full Story:
http://www.washtimes.com/national/20050912-095829-7925r.htm

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