Couples who are unable to have children or have failed several times in In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) can resort to a fertility treatment known as egg donation. In this process, eggs from another woman of bearing-age and who has passed the criteria to be a donor are fertilized together with the sperm of the partner in the laboratory. If fertilization ends successful, the embryo is then transferred to the womb and carried by the would-be mother.
This option has been considered by many couples in different parts of the world. However, there are still contentions on the advantages and disadvantages of this treatment. It is important for a woman and her partner to have an idea about the pros and cons of this alternative way of conception if they are opting to engage in this process.
List of Pros of Egg Donation
1. It gives childless couples a chance to have a baby and start a family.
One of the advantages of conceiving with the help of an egg donor is the opportunity for a husband and wife, who are not capable to have children, to have a child using a treatment which involves fertilizing a donated egg with the sperm of a barren wife’s husband. This way, a couple can start a family with the husband being the biological father of the child.
2. It can help a woman who may have genetic disorders prevent passing it to the child.
There may be cases where a woman is suffering from a genetic disorder, such as cleft palate or Trisomy 21 which can lead to giving birth to a child with Down Syndrome, who still wants to have children. With the egg of a donor, bearing a child without passing on the genetic disorder to the newborn is possible.
3. Potential egg donors, aside from being screened, making it safe and according to the preference of the couple or the recipient.
There are a certain criteria a potential egg donor should pass in order to be recruited. She will be tested for genetic disorders and infectious diseases such as Hepatitis B and HIV, among others. This assures that the eggs to be donated are healthy and no genetic conditions and diseases will be passed on to the embryo.
List of Cons of Egg Donation
1. There is no guarantee on the quality of eggs being donated by the donor.
The contention of critics is that there is no really assurance on the quality of eggs harvested from the donor. If there will be numerous attempts, it will still entail costs despite the fact that most of egg donations are free. Moreover, genetic traits will be inherited from the donor that might pose a problem since there will be attributes such as characteristics and traits coming from the egg donor and does not a guarantee that the child will not have negative traits like in attitude.
2. The donor might try to get in touch with the child in the future.
Although the identity of the donor can be revealed once the child turns 18, critics are saying that it will be problem if the donor will have the desire to meet the child what was agreed upon.
3. The recipient might encounter health issues.
Concerns about the woman who is to receive the embryo might have increase blood pressure due to the reaction of her immune system.
Conclusion
Babies are always a blessing and whether conception is done conventionally or with the help of a donor. With regard to egg donation, the people involved should weigh the pros and cons before making a decision.