‘Infertility’
It is common for twins and triplets to be born as a result of ART, which, needless to say, is an already complicated and sensitive procedure. The recent decline in multiple fetuses could be assigned to the fact that several ART laboratories have made it mandatory to adopt the ‘single embryo transfer’ policy whereby only a single embryo, with morphologically viable features, is transferred into the uterus. Sometimes Pre implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) is used to select the embryo. In India, however, ART continues to flourish under a shroud of secrecy. There are no regulations in place to govern and monitor the functioning of ART labs and, (honest) record- keeping is still considered unnecessary by many. The shady nexus between ART specialists and their promoters (pharma companies) lays emphasis on success rate ‘at any cost’. One of the measures employed is to transfer multiple embryos (3 to 4) into the uterus which often results in multiple gestations. These are eventually downsized to allow the survival of a single fetus. Such a move is justified by several specialists; while some enter the denial mode. Whatever the case, this subject deserves a more sensitive approach than what is currently being attributed to it. After all, every life is precious… including that of the Unborn! Related links
OK - I am no expert either on nutrition or brain development. But common sense counts still, and I remind you there is no substitute for a good diet and good teaching and studying. These will help your child, DHA or no DHA. Two reasons for this: 1) It’s difficult for lay people like us to make sense of all the health-related news we get from the media. DHA may be good for your brain, but will DHA pills and DHA-fortified foods make you smarter? None of the manufacturers and marketers will tell you, but the pills and supplements are not proven yet, and we really don’t know yet what effect for good or bad they will have. To take an example, while the body’s own testosterone boosts sperm production, fertility doctors only recently found that synthetic testosterone can make men infertile. Synthetic testosterone is still taken by athletes and body builders for more energy, and by men who want better erections, who don’t understand its risks. 2) I don’t trust advertisements! In India, advertisers are still rarely held accountable for the things they say. Advertisers and marketers know that if they say something is good for your brain, parents will spend a lot of money on it. Read a book on advertising. Know how you are manipulated. Having a good balanced diet with enough exercise and enough rest, and studying well, will help your child do well in examinations and in life. If you want her to get more DHA, give her more fish or foods containing flax oil or seeds, but always as part of a balanced diet. Susan Vinodh Pandian Read some more about brain development: 1. Depriving a child of affection can affect brain development 2. Marijuana use disrupts brain development in teens 3. Using methamphetamine when you are pregnant can affect your baby’s brain 4. Brain development is compromised in premature babies TAGS: |
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An Australian study has revealed that there is a definite rise in the number of couples seeking the aid of Artificial Reproductive Technique (ART) to produce children — the real good news is that the number of multiple gestations, resulting from this procedure, has steeply declined.
Will that heavily-advertised ‘brain food’ help your child become smarter? Will all those DHA-fortified baby cereals and milks with ‘brain activators’ really help your daughter or son get better marks?