Fertility doctor denounced for claims of human cloning
Posted on 08. May, 2009 by David Kreiner, MD in IVF, News, Regulation of IVF
Dr. Panayiotis Zavos
Source: www.ivf.net
Fertility doctor denounced for claims of human cloning
First Octomom and now this. I get the impression there are fertility specialists out to ruin the reputation of IVF for the rest of us. In the case of octomom, there is some question as to how the patient was counselled. We focus on high success with least risk as possible. It is unfortunate that a few others aspire to something other than their patient’s best interests. It is very difficulty for a fertility specialist to deal with patients who insist on using up all their embryos in one attempt. We share with the patient a desire not to discard embryos but retain responsibility for not allowing for potentially dangerous outcomes.
Cloning is an ethical dilemma yet to be solved by society. Until then we do not participate in cloning since we are unsure whether to do so is ethically sound. Benefits of modified forms of cloning have been proposed. Multiplying high quality embryos in patients would theoretically increase their success rates. Women who had poor quality eggs (cytoplasm) could have their nuclei transplanted into the egg of a healthy young woman. Again, theoretically, this can improve success rates. Another proposed clinical use is to produce tissue for transplantation say in a child with cancer who requires chemotherapy.
The form of cloning that usually comes to mind however, is the creation of an identical being whether it be to replace a loved lost child or in our common vernacular a “minime”. It is this possible use of the technology that causes almost universal disdain in our society. We have yet to figure out whether there is a place for any of the aforementioned forms of cloning that is potentially more palatable.
IVF, is a clinically useful form of technology that is allowing for greater than 40,000 more babies to be born each year who may otherwise never have been given life. But, as with all technology there are risks and potential downsides that need to be considered. Today, cloning as well as high ordered multiple embryo transfers moves the IVF technology beyond our comfort zone with our assessment of the potential risks and downsides. Let us not distort the relative benefit vs. risk of IVF technology by wrongfully applying it to cloning or high order multiple embryo transfer.
Mir Shaheedul Islam
Jul 19th, 2010
dear Dr. Panayiotis Zavos,
I’m Mir 34 yers old my wife is 26 yers old and we are from Bangladesh. i have only 2% rapid prograssive sperm and my wife is suffering from endometriosis and her left overy and tube is removed in a surgery. We are undergoing treatment in Suare hospital and we have gone through 2 IUI and failed in every occation. Recently wife is again diagonosed with sist in her right overy. Sir as being the most successful infertility specials in the world we are seeking you suggestion what should we do?
We are muslim and getting a Visa for USA is out of question, therfore its not possible for us to come to USA and get your treatment.
Sir we know you a very busy man, by any chance if do feel to see our medical report please let us know. we’ll mail your reports right after your reply and we’ll bear all the consultancy charges through i-banking. A little help of yours might bring endless happiness to our life
regards,
Mir