In-Vitro Fertilization

Advances in genetics have been revolutionized in the last few years. First came CRISPR, which can edit single genes, possibly preventing diseases with a single genetic determinant – raising the possibility of gene editing of children. CRISPR is too immature to be commercialized for this purpose, and this debate is speculative for now. But genome-wide association studies (GWAS) - which assesses the entire genome and can identify multiple genetic markers predictive of disease -- have made landfall and are being commercialized for that purpose.
A series of studies in the past two decades suggest the long-standing worry among women that in vitro fertilization could carry an increased risk for breast cancer has no merit.
The rate and number of higher order births (triplets and up) in the United States declined between 1998 and 2014. This is a positive trend that should result in better infant survival and health, as well as a reduction in health care costs.
For infertile couples who long to have a child of their own, in vitro fertilization, or IVF, can provide a path to fulfilling their dreams.
Women are now having children later in life, with the average age of first-time mothers rising from 21 years old in the 1970s to 26 years old now. Possibly because older women have a higher rate of