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
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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.