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Description
In vitro fertilization, or IVF, is currently a worldwide medical procedure designed to give infertile men and women the ability to have children of their own. An IVF procedure takes place outside of a woman’s body, often in a laboratory setting. However, before scientists used the procedure on humans, they initially performed IVF on animals for selective breeding and agricultural purposes. After scientists realized that the procedure had potential to become a treatment option for infertility, they expanded their research subjects to include using the technique on humans. During the procedure’s initial development, scientists began to conduct numerous IVF trials on humans that often ended in early miscarriages. This thesis shows us the history of how some of the first attempts at IVF in humans using various options such as donated egg cells and cryopreserved embryos, often ended in early miscarriages. At that time, most members of the scientific community and general public responded to those trials by regarding them as insignificant. In 1998, the success rate of women under the age of 38 having children with the use of IVF was 22.1%. Over time, scientists began to acknowledge those published findings that detailed various “failed” human IVF experiments. Scientists learned to use them as a guide for what to do differently in future IVF experiments. Because of that, scientists have since developed more effective IVF methods which have ultimately improved the procedure’s success rate. In 2016, the success rate of IVF had increased to 39.6% for women. Therefore, what we might initially think of as a “failure” is in reality not a failure at all, but rather is a “purported failure” because we can use it as a stepping-stone towards an end goal. By looking at the history of IVF research, my thesis illustrates how some of the most important science comes from acknowledging the purported failures along with the triumphant successes.
ContributorsTuoti, Whitney (Author) / Maienschein, Jane (Thesis director) / Abboud, Carolina (Committee member) / Fitzpatrick, Susan (Committee member) / School of Molecular Sciences (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
Description
Infertility is a disease generally recognized as a complication of the reproductive system, impacting both men and women. It has undoubtedly been acknowledged as a universal health issue for several years, and within each year, it has been quite observable to identify the increasing rates of infertility attributable to disease, hormonal imbalances, chemical exposures, and lifestyle choices. Across the years, there have been increasing developments of fertility treatments readily available, and of the numerous treatments, the most effective and prominent treatments include intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments. The processes of carrying out these treatments vary in nature and, in particular, possess a variety of ethical issues, such as the accessibility of these treatments for targeted individuals like the disadvantaged, single women, and same-sex couples. Throughout this paper, comprehensive research will be brought forth towards introducing such fertility treatments and their prominence in the United States vs Spain, along with their accessibility, success rates, religious viewpoints, and a generalized examination regarding the relationship between infertility and mental health.
ContributorsAhmed, Sundus (Author) / Taylor, Teri (Thesis director) / Smith, Lisa (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences (Contributor) / College of Health Solutions (Contributor)
Created2024-05