Three-way IVF could one day help prevent serious disorders

A new technique enables scientists to replace damaged mitochondria during IVF. Nuclei from the dad’s sperm and the mom’s egg, which hold the parents’ DNA, are removed, and the defective mitochondria are left behind. The nuclei are then placed into another egg that has had its nucleus removed but that still has its mitochondria.

While mutations in the mitochondrial DNA usually don’t cause serious illness, about one in 6,500 babies is born with mitochondrial disease that’s reponsible for serious and often fatal disorders such as heart failure, according to the BBC.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/health/2010/04/15/2010-04-15_threeway_ivf_could_one_day_help_prevent_serious_disorders_like_heart_disease_in_.html#ixzz0lHsecxoT

First Open Embryo Donation Program to Launch in Canada

Major strides this week in Canada for individuals and couples facing infertility. Canadian law prohibits compensated egg donation and surrogacy, making an infertility diagnosis an even greater struggle than for those in the US. Beginnings Family Services, a not-for-profit charity, has launched Canada's first Embryo Donation Program giving couples the opportunity to donate their remaining embryos to infertile couples hoping to become parents. This altruistic donation offers embryos a chance for life, and hope for thousands of infertile Canadians.

Read on:
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2010/05/c7799.html

In The News- Egg Donor Compensation

There has been renewed media interest in this subject of late. The story remains much the same as it did a decade ago. There are those agencies who strictly adhere to donor compensation guidelines set forth by ASRM, and then there are "the others"; those who generate controversy and public ire, and cast a shadow over what should be an exercise of compassion and generosity.

A tip of the the hat to agencies in the former category...

Read the article:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/booster_shots/2010/03/donor-eggs-ethics-guidelines.html

London seminar offering free IVF from Virginia clinic sparks controversy

A "raffle"held at a recent infertility seminar in London sponsored by an American fertility practice has generated tremendous controversy this past week. The seminar awarded one attendee a free IVF cycle as well as the use of donor eggs from an American donor. The event has drawn fierce criticism and outcry from American and British infertility experts and bioethicists.

Read More:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/17/AR2010031704176.html

Turks barred from receiving sperm or egg donations abroad

Turkish women seeking help becoming pregnant have had their options further limited by a new regulation preventing the obtaining of sperm or egg donations abroad. The rule amends an existing law barring such procedures domestically; women who break it could face up to three years in prison.

Link:
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=turks-are-banned-to-receive-sperm-or-egg-donations-abroad-2010-03-15

Ovaries have not adjusted to many women's decision to delay having children

We know this, of course, but this is a great article from The Washington Post which sheds light on why this happens, and makes an important point about the misleading stories of celebrities conceiving after 40, and the impact that has upon women in the midst of their reproductive years.

Link:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/22/AR2010022203639.html

What to expect when you're NOT expecting

An interesting online article about the invisible face of infertility by Connie Shapiro, Ph.D., a professor of family studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and author of When You're Not Expecting: An Infertility Survival Guide.

Read more:

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/when-youre-not-expecting/201003/the-invisible-face-infertility

Israeli government to discuss bill to ease restrictions on egg donation

More progress on these exciting new developments intended to ease restrictions on egg donation in Israel. The existing law allows only women undergoing fertility treatments to donate eggs. The new legislation would allow Israeli women between the ages of 20 and 35 to donate eggs and to be compensated. Go Israel!

Read on:
ttp://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1151222.html

How to Bring Home a Baby Without Breaking the Bank

A topic on many minds these days. As if the process of infertility treatment were not daunting enough, there is, of course, the cost. The $10 price tag on this new book by Evelina Weidman Sterling and Angie Best-Boss could end up saving you a LOT of money.


A few quotes from readers:

***Especially important in our current financial crisis, a Must Read!

***Bless you for writing this book!!!!

***The book helps you think outside the box and consider ways to save money on medications, treatments, and testing. It explains how to navigate insurance companies and how to find clinical trials. It explains fertility grants and scholarships and how to find them. But above all, it gives you the confidence to take charge of the financial side and understand how to budget for treatments.

http://www.amazon.com/Budgeting-Infertility-Bring-Without-Breaking/dp/1416566589/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1266236856&sr=1-1

Alone on a Path Shared by Many

A poignant yet frank look at the emotional terrain encountered as a result of a diagnosis of premature ovarian failure, a condition which leads many to the path of assisted reproduction. A lesson in the importance of sharing more stories like this, so that those in similar straits realize that there is no reason to feel alone.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/31/fashion/31love.html?pagewanted=1

Crossing Ideological, Biological--& State Lines

A look at several recent cases involving the real-life courtroom dramas playing out across the country involving third-party reproduction and same-sex parents. These cases reveal the many risks and legal challenges that face LGBT couples pursuing alternative forms of parenting, and how those challenges vary from state to state.

http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=&sc2=features&sc3=&id=101180

Surrogacy Battle Faces Uneven Legal Landscape

A recent WSJ article featuring the highly publicized story of a gay New Jersey couple whose case further illustrates the need for hopeful intended parents to fully understand the potential consequences of their state's position on surrogacy, and why the term "surrogacy-friendly" is so important.

Read More:


http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704362004575000974247846294.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Doubling Down on Baby M: New Jersey's Ongoing Resistance to Surrogacy

A great piece on the state of surrogacy in the state of New Jersey. Bioethicist and medical historian Jacob Appel comments on a a recent Superior Court ruling in New Jersey that vastly expands the precedent of the Baby M decision of 1988, which effectively outlawed surrogate motherhood in that state.

Read more
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jacob-m-appel/doubling-down-on-baby-m-n_b_409992.html

The Babies Are Coming!

Everybody loves... BABIES. This visually stunning new movie simultaneously follows four babies around the world - from first breath to first steps. From Mongolia to Namibia to San Francisco to Tokyo, BABIES joyfully captures on film the earliest stages of the journey of humanity that are at once unique and universal to us all.
Coming in early 2010 to a theater near you! Stay tuned- we can't wait!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vupEpNjCuY

Do you love someone who is infertile?

The latest statistics show that one in six couples experiences infertility in some form, so chances are, we all know someone who can benefit from this new book by Shari DeGraff Stewart and Julia Fichtner Krahm.

The AFA's Corey Whelan reviews their new book "Do You Love Someone Who is Infertile?" which offers some great advice on how to support a loved one who is experiencing infertility. She writes, "In the same way that it is hard to comfort someone who has recently lost a loved one, or who has just gotten a diagnosis of cancer, it is often difficult to find the right words to say to who is going through infertility."

Check it out

http://www.examiner.com/x-24753-Brooklyn-Infertility---Miscarriage-Examiner~y2009m12d14-Do-you-love-someone-who-is-infertile--A-book-review-for-the-holidays

Infertility Short Film Competition Winners

The In The Know Short Film Competition sought to eliminate the stigma of infertility and encourage couples who have struggled with infertility to share their stories and lend support for other couples hesitant in openly discussing their journey. The winners were announced in November, watch each of the top three most compelling short films here.

http://www.fertilitylifelines.com/film/

Israel moves toward allowing egg donations among lesbian couples

More progress in Israel for third-party reproduction. At present no doctor in Israel is authorized to extract eggs from a healthy woman and transfer them to another woman, but new legislation is expected to permit egg donations in Israel, and is expected to substantially reduce the current demand among Israelis for egg donations from abroad.

Read on:
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1131609.html

Parenting Children Conceived with Donor Gametes- Phone Coaching

Another great resource from the AFA for those who:

• are considering the use of donor sperm, egg, or embryo to create their children

• are already parenting children created by donor sperm, egg, or embryo

During this one hour group conference call, you’ll receive information on:

• The pros and cons of disclosure to children of their genetic origin

• What and when to share this information with children if you so choose

• How or whether to share this information with family or friends

Check it out at:
http://theafa.org/community/event/free_coaching_group_via_your_telephone_parenting_children_conceived_with_do

Donor Egg Option and How To Be Happy About It

A great piece written by Diana LaRose about the challenges of embracing the donor egg option. A refreshing perspective of how to move past the negative and toward feeling truly good about the decision to work with an egg donor.


http://beyondjane.com/family/motherhood/how-to-accept-the-egg-donor-option-and-even-be-happy-about-it/

The Latest On Egg Freezing from ASRM

Once again the white-hot topic at ASRM's annual meeting this year, egg freezing makes news as the experts unite and discuss the latest developments.

http://wellness.blogs.time.com/2009/10/28/more-good-fertility-news-egg-freezing-ivf-and-academics/