Freezing Human Eggs for In Vitro Fertilization No Longer Experimental Procedure
Margaret Warner on Friday’s episode of PBS NewsHour:
Doctors started freezing and then thawing eggs for in vitro fertilization, or IVF, years ago, but in very few cases, and the procedure has been considered experimental.
Today, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine shifted its position, saying the process shouldn’t be labeled experimental any longer. It said babies born from frozen eggs are as healthy as those from fresh eggs. But the committee said the procedure should be limited in its use.
The new recommendation will make this available for coverage on insurance plans that don’t cover experimental procedures. Warner interviews a doctor who co-chaired the committee and a director of the Center for Genetics and Society on why the committee recommended limitations and impact on society and the fertility industry.