The Scourge: Moral Implications of Natural Embryo Loss

Ord, Toby

doi:10.1080/15265160802248146

“…Quantitative estimates of embryo loss are found in diverse media including television documentaries (“You made it through the first round” presented by Michael Mosley: video at http://www.bbc.co.uk/timelines/z84tsg8; transcript at http://a.files.bbci.co.uk/bam/live/content/z3b87hv/transcript: accessed on 22 nd October, 2016), online educational videos (“Bill Nye: Can We Stop Telling Women What to Do With Their Bodies?” presented by Bill Nye, the Science Guy: video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IPrw0NYkMg: accessed on 22 nd October, 2016), online museum exhibits (“Who Am I? What happens in week 1?” presented by The Science Museum; available at http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/WhoAmI/FindOutMore/Yourbody/Wheredidyoucomefrom/Howdoyougrowinthewomb/Whathappensinweek1: accessed on 22 nd October, 2016), news reports (“Scientists get ‘gene-editing’ go-ahead” by James Gallagher: article at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-35459054: accessed on 22 nd October, 2016), as well as academic philosophical articles 1 and legal judgements 2 . Among reputable scientific publications, including medical and reproductive biology text books, scientific reviews and primary research articles, reported mortality estimates include: 30–70% before and during implantation 3 ; >50% 4 , 73% 5 and 80% 6 before the 6 th week; 75% before the 8 th week 7 ; 70% in the first trimester 8 ; 40–50% in the first 20 weeks 9 ; and 49% 10 , >50% 11, 12 , 53% 13 , 54% 14 , 60% 15 , >60% 16 , 63% 17, 18 , 70% 19– 23 , 50–75% 24 , 76% 5, 25 , 78% 26 , 80–85% 27 , >85% 28 , and 90% 29 total loss from fertilisation to term.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Early embryo mortality in natural human reproduction: What the data say

Jarvis

¹

2016

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It is generally accepted that natural human embryo mortality during pregnancy is high – losses of 70% and higher from fertilisation to birth are frequently claimed. The first external sign of pregnancy occurs two weeks after fertilisation with a missed menstrual period. Establishing the fate of embryos before this is challenging, and hampered by a lack of data on the efficiency of fertilisation under natural conditions. Four distinct sources are cited to justify quantitative claims regarding embryo loss: (i) a hypothesis published by Roberts & Lowe in The Lancet is widely cited but has no quantitative value; (ii) life table analyses give consistent assessments of clinical pregnancy loss, but cannot illuminate losses at earlier stages of development; (iii) studies that measure human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) reveal losses in the second week of development and beyond, but not before; and (iv) the classic studies of Hertig and Rock offer the only direct insight into the fate of human embryos from fertilisation under natural conditions. Re-examination of Hertig’s data demonstrates that his estimates for fertilisation rate and early embryo loss are highly imprecise and casts doubt on the validity of his numerical analysis. A recent re-analysis of hCG study data suggests that approximately 40-60% of embryos may be lost between fertilisation and birth, although this will vary substantially between individual women. In conclusion, it is clear that some published estimates of natural embryo mortality are exaggerated. Although available data do not provide a precise estimate, natural human embryo mortality is lower than is often claimed.

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“…Driving home the argument, Ord (2008), Citing Tonti-Filippini articulated the argument against destruction of foetuses thus:…”

Section: Status and Treatment Of Embryosmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Ethical Examination of the Challenges of In-Vitro Fertilisation in Nigeria

Bingel

¹

2013

JESR

1

0

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It is the position of this paper that the availability of In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) treatment clinics in Nigeria's healthcare system has moral implications which are as yet not fully considered nor critically understudied. The paper argues that the availability of such procedures ought to be properly considered and the many ramifications it may have to individuals as well as to national values be comprehensively examined at this early stage before it becomes widespread so as to preserve both our national values and the good of the individual citizen. It proceeds by identifying the need for Nigeria as a country to dedicate resources for research based innovations; it also examines the practice of IVF in Nigeria highlighting history, procedure and accessibility. The paper then proceeds to discuss some challenges of IVF in Nigeria before arguing that there are moral objections to IVF that call for national discussion at an early stage. It concludes that IVF has the potential to change the values of Nigerians and it would be wise if these values change consciously rather than unconsciously.

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“…(p. 275). Driving home the argument, Ord (2008), Citing Tonti-Filippini articulated the argument against destruction of foetuses thus:…”

Section: Status and Treatment Of Embryosmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Ethical Examination of the Challenges of <i>In Vitro</i> Fertilisation in Nigeria

Bingel

¹

2013

ILSHS

0

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It is the position of this paper that the availability of In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) treatment clinics in Nigeria's healthcare system has moral implications which are as yet not fully considered nor critically understudied. The paper argues that the availability of such procedures ought to be properly considered and the many ramifications it may have to individuals as well as to national values be comprehensively examined at this early stage before it becomes widespread so as to preserve both our national values and the good of the individual citizen. It proceeds by identifying the need for Nigeria as a country to dedicate resources for research based innovations; it also examines the practice of IVF in Nigeria highlighting history, procedure and accessibility. The paper then proceeds to discuss some challenges of IVF in Nigeria before arguing that there are moral objections to IVF that call for national discussion at an early stage. It concludes that IVF has the potential to change the values of Nigerians and it would be wise if these values change consciously rather than unconsciously.

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The Scourge: Moral Implications of Natural Embryo Loss

Cited by 67 publications

References 7 publications

Early embryo mortality in natural human reproduction: What the data say

Early embryo mortality in natural human reproduction: What the data say

An Ethical Examination of the Challenges of In-Vitro Fertilisation in Nigeria

An Ethical Examination of the Challenges of <i>In Vitro</i> Fertilisation in Nigeria

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