Definition of infertility
When a person or couple is unable to become pregnant
Definition of conception
When a sperm cell fertilises an egg and pregnancy begins
Definition of assisted conception
Medical methods used to help someone become pregnant
Definition of (new) reproductive technologies
Modern medical techniques used to help with fertility and having children
Definition of in vitro fertilisation (IVF)
When an egg is fertilised by sperm in a lab, then placed into the uterus
Definition of donor eggs/sperm
Eggs or sperm given by another person to help someone else have a baby
Definition of sex-selection
Choosing the sex of a baby before pregnancy or birth using medical methods
Definition of altruistic/altruism
Helping others without payment, out of kindness or concern for them
Definition of surrogacy
When a woman carries a pregnancy for someone else who will raise the child
Definition of commercial surrogacy
Surrogacy where the surrogate is paid
What are 4 reasons why someone could be infertile
Man does not produce healthy sperm
Woman has difficulty producing eggs
Medical conditions lead to inability to conceive
Could have a blocked fallopian tube
What are the 4 common methods used to overcome infertility
Natural methods
Medicines
Surgery
Assisted conception
How might natural methods overcome infertility
Could be infertile due to stress so making healthy lifestyle choices could overcome infertilty
How might medicines overcome infertility
If the problem is hormones then taking fertility drugs could help to overcome fertility
How might surgery overcome infertility
If there is a blocked fallopian tube or other internal problems
How might assisted conception overcome infertility
IVF (most popular method used today)
Explain 3 reasons why some couples may be unable to have a child
Infertility
Alcohol (could affect fertility)
Smoking (could affect fertility)
What is IVF treatment
Involves a human egg or sperm being brought together in a test tube or Petri dish by doctors, if egg fertilised successfully, doctors will place embryo in woman’s uterus where it will grow
Why do doctors often fertilise more than one egg in IVF treatment
The IVF procedure is not always successful
Why are there concerns about IVF treatment
Fertilising more eggs than are needed can lead to the creation of ‘spare’ embryos that are not needed for implantation, many people concerned at what happens to these embryos
Why might it be acceptable to use ‘spare’ embryos for research (3)
Learn more about them
Will be disposed anyways
Could be put to good use
Why might it not be acceptable to use ‘spare’ embryos for research (2)
Killing begging of life
Goes against sanctity of life teaching
Aruguments in favour of IVF (4)
Childlessness can cause distress to a couple who want to raise a family IVF can help them to have children who may be genetically theirs
As a result of IVF techniques being developed other advances in medical science have been made
Using embryos for research and experimentations can help doctors toward a greater understanding of treat,eggs for diseases
Adoption isn’t always an option (not genetically theirs)
Agree points for the statement ‘IVF is playing God’ (5)
Discarding the ‘spare’ embryos goes against 10 commandments ‘thou shall not murder’
Interfering with God’s plan (only God should be able to create life)
Third party involvement is a form of adultery
Accepting God’s will (he chose u to be infertile, part of his plan) resorting to adoption
Sanctity of life
