A group of reproductive health providers have strongly condemned what they call an “act of mindless misuse of IVF technologies” in the case of a 74-year-old giving birth recently and allegedly becoming the oldest mother in the world.
Doctors stated that this is a “deplorable omission of ethics, morality, and the misuse of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART)”.
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Members of the Indian Society of Assisted Reproduction (ISAR), Indian Fertility Society (IFS) and Academy of Clinical Embryologists (ACE) in a joint statement on Monday noted that according to the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Bill, 2017, Chapter IV, Para 37, Subpara 7(a), “Assisted Reproductive Technology services shall not be available to a woman below the age of 18 years and above the age of 45 years”.
“The loophole is the fact that this is still a guideline and not a law yet. But we as doctors also have to look at the entire situation in a manner that will benefit the mother and the well-being of the children. Advanced age adds to several medical complications and interferes with the quality [of life] and natural lifespan,” noted Gouri Devi, president, IFS.
Pankaj Talwar, secretary general, IFS, added: “We appeal to all our members and health professionals in India to abstain from unethical malpractice, which may risk the lives of our patients, off-spring and future generations.”
‘Deeply appalled’
“We are deeply appalled in knowing about such unprofessional conduct by some health providers in misusing the current ART procedures,” he noted, stating doctors are now writing to the Union Health Minister about the issue, and seeking stringent laws.
A 74-year-old woman recently became the oldest-ever to give birth after she delivered twins at a hospital in Andhra Pradesh’s Guntur town last week.
The woman, who conceived through the In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) process, delivered twin babies at the Ahalya Nursing Home. A team comprising four doctors performed the Caesarean-section operation.
There is an urgent need to revisit the Artificial Reproductive Technology (ART) Bill, 2017, which has not received Parliament’s approval so far.
‘Proven fact’
“I believe that due to the lack of strict regulation via ART laws, we are witnessing a surge in unethical practices and rampant commercialisation of IVF. Given the recent case, the Indian Council of Medical Research should take urgent action to once again introduce the Bill to regulate this growing trend,” said Archana Dhawan Bajaj, Obstetrician-Gynecologist and IVF Expert, Nurture IVF Centre, New Delhi.
“It is a proven fact that women are most fertile between the ages of 15 and 30. Beyond this, there is increased risk of producing eggs and embryos with chromosomal and other abnormalities. IVF at advanced ages come with the risks of pregnancy loss, etc. Besides, pregnancy should occur when the couple is settled well to share the burden of raising the child,” she added.
