Category Archives: Embryology

Embryology

Sperm Donor Sues Over Use Of His Sperm With LGBTQ And Single Parents – Above the Law

The United States receives considerable criticism over its lack of regulations when it comes to assisted reproductive technology, especially sperm donation. Asa small break from reflecting on our own flaws, today we focus on a peculiarcaserevealing that other countries, too, have issues.

Donating For Discounts

Neil Gaskell and his wife endured 14 years of trying to conceive before finding success with IVF in Australia. When the British couple moved back to the United Kingdom, they sought out additional fertility treatments, hoping to conceive a second child. Gaskells sperm must have caught the attention of someone at their IVF clinic because, after a first failed round of IVF, Gaskell was approached by the clinic to become a sperm donor and told his sperm had superman strength. In exchange, the clinic would reduce the fees for the couples next round of IVF to 1,200 from 3,500.

Wait. What?! In the United States, most donors are paid $50 to $100 per donation. By contrast, Gaskell was offered a discount of 2,300 throw in the exchange rate, and youre at about $3,000. Ironically, it is illegal to pay sperm donors in the United Kingdom more than their expenses. However, clinics are permitted to offer discounts on treatment in exchange for donations. Im not sure I understand the policy underpinnings of this system. If we are worried about money being coercive, offering discounts to couples in the especially vulnerable position of needing fertility treatment would seem even more coercive than the American system advertising to college kids who are looking to upgrade their ramen for a few nights. Maybe U.K. sperm clinics are desperate for good product?

But that isnt even one of the legal issue in this case.

Not For Same-Sex Couples

Gaskell agreed to donate in exchange for the discount. However, when donating, he specifically noted that he required that his donations not be given to same-sex couples. Gaskell made the clinic staff write that down. And he later explained that he also did not want his sperm going to single women, but didnt think he had to explicitly state that, since the clinic described his sperm as going to families (which, to him, evidently did not include single women).

Apparently, the clinic did not say something like oh you know what, we actually have all the sperm we need now so never mind. Instead, they didnt object. This was not an illegal requirement, after all, at that moment. However, a mere few months later, the Equality Act came into law inEngland, which prohibited discrimination against same-sex couples.

How Many Families?

Gaskell recounted how the clinic assured him that his donation would be used for only two or three families. And, anyway, the regulations prevented the donations from being used with more than 10 families. Spoiler alert: the clinic was really trying to really get its moneys worth from Gaskell.

Moreover, as frequently happens in these cases, the donors wishes were not exactly followed. An official audit of the clinic by the UKs fertility regulator the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority revealed that Gaskells sperm had helped three same-sex couples have five children, and three single women have four children. An additional four children were conceived with Gaskells sperm by heterosexual couples, resulting in a total of 13 children.

The clinic disclosed the findings to Gaskell. And Gaskell sued.

Not A Bigot

Gaskell has publicly explained his strenuous objections to his sperm being used to help same-sex couples, and that his lawsuit is not an indicator that he is homophobic or a bigot. He asserts that such accusations couldnt be further from the truth. (Oh?) He says: This wasnt about discriminating against same-sex couples but you cant argue with biology. It takes a man and a woman to create a child, and its my view that if children are being born with my sperm, they must have a mother and a father. After a four-year legal battle, the clinic recently settled with Gaskell, with Gaskell walking away with a five-figure out-of-court settlement.

(Non-)Informed Consent

I spoke with U.S. assisted reproductive technology legal expert Catherine Tucker on the case for perspective. She was more sympathetic to Gaskells cause. What we have here is the intersection of two important medico-legal concepts informed consent and nondiscrimination. Informed consent simply means that a patient knows what he or she is getting into when agreeing to donate a body part, whether it be sperm, eggs, blood, a uterus, or something else, and the patient voluntarily chooses to participate. A key component of informed consent, Tucker explained, is understanding what your bodily donation will be used for whether that be research, education/training, or for another patient. So here we have a situation where informed consent and nondiscrimination concepts conflict. And informed consent trumps nondiscrimination every time. With proper informed consent, this patient could have chosen not to participate in this arrangement.

I am hopeful that improvements in technology and, like, people will lead to less and less of these cases. Or, if nothing else, maybe the fear that all errors will be caught as a result of prolific home DNA testing will act as a strong-enough deterrent for strict self-regulation. In the meantime, lets hope that all of Gaskells kids have a better outlook on parenting than he does.

Ellen Trachman is the Managing Attorney ofTrachman Law Center, LLC, a Denver-based law firm specializing in assisted reproductive technology law, and co-host of the podcastI Want To Put A Baby In You. You can reach her atbabies@abovethelaw.com.

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Sperm Donor Sues Over Use Of His Sperm With LGBTQ And Single Parents - Above the Law

Embryology

The Sperm Bank market to be under the gambit of growth curve in the next decade – Eurowire

on of sperms, donated by sperm donors, to the needy women, who, due to various reasons, such as, physiological problems, widow, age and others, are not able to achieve pregnancy. Sperm bank forms the formal contract with sperm donors, usually for the period of 6-24 months, during which he has to produce sperms and donate to the bank. Usually, monetary compensation will be offered to sperm donors. Although, a donor can donate his sperms for more than two years, but, due to laws and regulations of various countries and a potential threat of consanguinity, a contract is made for maximum two years only. A donor produces his sperms in a specialized room, called mens production room. From this, the semen fluid is washed, in order to extract the sperms from other materials present in the semen. In case of frozen storage, a cryoprotectant semen extender is added in the sample. Usually, around 20 vials can be extracted from one sample of semen, collected from a sperm donor. These vials are stored in cryogenically preserved condition, in the liquid nitrogen (N2) tanks. Usually, sperms are stored for the period of around 6 months. However, it can be stored for a longer period of time.

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The services offered by sperm bank includes provision of sperms, donors selection, guiding recipient for selection of donor, sex selection of baby, and sales of sperms. Although, sperm banks play a major role in the women who are not able to achieve pregnancy, due to some controversial issues, such as, use of sperms by lesbian couples and others, government healthcare bodies of various countries imposed strict regulations on the sperm bank. In the U.S., sperm banks are regulated by FDA, and treated as Human Cell or Human Tissue or Human Cell and Tissue (HCT/Ps), in the European Union, it is been regulated by EU Tissue Directive, whereas, in the U.K., it is regulated by Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority.

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The global market for sperm banks is expected to increase in steady manner in the forecast period, due to market growth propellers, such as, increased prevalence of women miscarriage, technological innovations in the sperm storage industry, and growing awareness towards this type of pregnancy. Increased miscarriage rate is one of the major drivers that fuels market growth. According to the study report published by HopeXchange, out of 4.4 million pregnancies carried every year in the U.S., around 1 million pregnancies result into miscarriage. Similarly, due to growing concerns towards such pregnancy that achieved without sexual intercourse is also an important market growth propeller. On the other hand, various governmental regulations, negative mindset towards sperm banks and donor, high cost associated with the operating of sperm bank and limited spread across the various regions of the world are some of the major hurdles in the market growth.

Major players operating in the market includes Cryos International Sperm Bank, FairFax Cryobank, Androcryos, New England Cryogenic Center, Inc. and others.

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The Sperm Bank market to be under the gambit of growth curve in the next decade - Eurowire

Embryology

Disputes over when life begins may block cutting-edge reproductive technologies like mitochondrial replacement therapies – The Conversation US

The nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court has once again pushed the debate over when life begins into the headlines, which could have far-reaching effects on access to both current and emerging reproductive technologies. In 2006, Judge Barrett was one of the signatories on a newspaper ad sponsored by an anti-abortion group that not only believes life begins at fertilization but also hopes to criminalize discarding extra embryos created during in vitro fertilization.

As legal scholars, we are closely watching how jurisdictions regulate emerging reproductive technologies, including a set of techniques called mitochrondial replacement therapies which can prevent some heritable diseases. But because they use IVF methods, and some (but not all) of the techniques require discarding an embryo, law codifying the belief that life starts at fertilization could restrict access to mitochondrial replacement therapies and derail productive conversations about how to regulate them properly.

Last week, the medical journal Fertility & Sterility ran an editorial arguing that confirming Judge Barrett could result in restrictions not only on reproductive rights to contraception and abortion, but also on IVF. One concern is that future legal decisions could forbid IVF clinics from discarding extra embryos even ones unlikely to start a pregnancy or limit the number of embryos which can be formed. That could raise treatment costs or make efforts to start a healthy pregnancy with IVF much harder.

The nomination of Judge Barrett also comes just as new technologies look almost ready to help parents have children free of certain heritable diseases. Children can inherit mitochondrial diseases from their biological mother (and possibly their father) caused by dysfunctional mitochondria which generate energy molecules for the cell. These tiny structures in the cell carry their own special DNA; but those that carry mutations can cause disease. A new type of reproductive technology called mitochondrial replacement therapies offers the possibility of preventing children from inheriting these diseases.

Estimates suggest 1,000-4,000 children in the U.S. alone are born each year with a heritable mitochondrial disease.

These complex diseases can affect many different organs especially those with high energy needs like the brain, eyes or heart. There are no cures and few treatment options exist, so children often die in severe cases. Having a child with mitochondrial diseases can place huge emotional and financial tolls on families, with significant economic costs for health care systems.

With limited treatment options, some experts place more hope in preventing children from inheriting mitochondrial diseases altogether. Sometimes called three parent IVF, mitochondrial replacement therapies make this possible by replacing the unhealthy mitochondria in an egg cell or embryo with healthy ones from a donor woman. Using this technique, couples at high risk of having children with mitochondrial diseases can then have a healthy child who is biologically related to them.

Mitochondrial replacement therapies do, however, raise a few concerns. Health problems could arise from molecular mismatches between the parents nucleus and donor mitochondria or from a treated embryo reverting to an unhealthy state, though these risks are hypothetical for now. And female children born through mitochondrial replacement therapies could, theoretically, pass these conditions to their children.

Because mitochondria carry 37 of their own genes, children born from mitochondrial replacement therapies technically have DNA from three people the couple and the woman who donated her healthy mitochondria. The donor contributes a minuscule amount of DNA less than 1% but this does raise questions about their parenthood. Another concern is that swapping out mitochondria (and their DNA) in embryos makes for a slippery slope to designer babies, especially now that three births have occurred after gene editing.

These safety and ethical concerns call for policy to investigate and minimize risks, while answering questions like what the legal status of the third parent should be.

In 2015, the United Kingdom became the first jurisdiction in the world to expressly legalize and regulate mitochondrial replacement therapies, creating a system to license clinics for this service. This move came after an extensive public engagement process. Regulation is overseen by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, which governs all human fertility treatments and research within the U.K. Two other countries, Australia and Singapore, are considering legislative amendments to follow in the U.K.s footsteps.

While brand-new regulatory systems for mitochondrial replacement therapies may seem ideal, lessons learned from other emerging technologies suggest most countries probably wont adopt this approach since existing rules often apply already, though maybe not in an ideal way. The trick then becomes making sure existing rules can still cover concerns with the new technology. However, this reality has led to critics raising the alarm about unregulated mitochondrial replacement therapies, especially since medical tourism is already happening.

Even if most countries dont enact new laws, many already have rules which should apply to mitochondrial replacement therapies. For example, the U.S. wont need a new regulatory system if it removes its current ban on the technology. The Food and Drug Administration already plans on regulating mitochondrial replacement therapies with the same tools it uses for biologics, a broad category of medical products ranging from vaccines to gene therapy.

Mexico got a bad reputation for having no rules after a child was born there via mitochondrial replacement therapies, but legal scholars have pointed out that Mexicos regulations on health research likely prohibit this use of mitochondrial replacement therapies. However, these rules werent triggered because doctors modified the embryos in the U.S., before sending them to Guadalajara for the treatment. Instead, the U.S. FDA intervened, informing the clinic that they had violated U.S. law in several ways.

In Greece, regulators already approved a clinical trial for mitochondrial replacement therapies using their existing rules for fertility treatments although the trial addresses the success of fertility treatments instead of preventing mitochondrial diseases. And in Ukraine, though the details are murky, health officials appear to have similarly approved a clinical trial for mitochondrial replacement therapies.

Reproductive technologies have allowed millions of families around the world to conceive healthy children over the last 42 years. For the first time, recent advances in mitochondrial replacement therapies could allow families who otherwise couldnt have a healthy child of their own to do so. But changes in law that restrict access to IVF could have profound social and medical impacts that would ripple across the country.

[Deep knowledge, daily. Sign up for The Conversations newsletter.]

Rather than making reproductive technologies like mitochondrial replacement therapies more difficult to access especially for those with a medical reason for doing so we believe regulators and governments should be looking for ways to provide individuals access to these technologies in a way that promotes safety and efficacy for everyone involved. That includes those living in the U.S. who wish to access mitochondrial replacement therapies in their own country.

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Disputes over when life begins may block cutting-edge reproductive technologies like mitochondrial replacement therapies - The Conversation US

Embryology

Disputes over when life begins may block cutting-edge reproductive technologies like mitochondrial replacement therapies – Jacksonville…

(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.)

Walter G. Johnson, Arizona State University and Diana Bowman, Arizona State University

(THE CONVERSATION) The nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court has once again pushed the debate over when life begins into the headlines, which could have far-reaching effects on access to both current and emerging reproductive technologies. In 2006, Judge Barrett was one of the signatories on a newspaper ad sponsored by an anti-abortion group that not only believes life begins at fertilization but also hopes to criminalize discarding extra embryos created during in vitro fertilization.

As legal scholars, weare closely watching how jurisdictions regulate emerging reproductive technologies, including a set of techniques called mitochrondial replacement therapies which can prevent some heritable diseases. But because they use IVF methods, and some (but not all) of the techniques require discarding an embryo, law codifying the belief that life starts at fertilization could restrict access to mitochondrial replacement therapies and derail productive conversations about how to regulate them properly.

Implications for assisted reproduction

Last week, the medical journal Fertility & Sterility ran an editorial arguing that confirming Judge Barrett could result in restrictions not only on reproductive rights to contraception and abortion, but also on IVF. One concern is that future legal decisions could forbid IVF clinics from discarding extra embryos even ones unlikely to start a pregnancy or limit the number of embryos which can be formed. That could raise treatment costs or make efforts to start a healthy pregnancy with IVF much harder.

The nomination of Judge Barrett also comes just as new technologies look almost ready to help parents have children free of certain heritable diseases. Children can inherit mitochondrial diseases from their biological mother (and possibly their father) caused by dysfunctional mitochondria which generate energy molecules for the cell. These tiny structures in the cell carry their own special DNA; but those that carry mutations can cause disease. A new type of reproductive technology called mitochondrial replacement therapies offers the possibility of preventing children from inheriting these diseases.

Mitochondrial replacement therapies

Estimates suggest 1,000-4,000 children in the U.S. alone are born each year with a heritable mitochondrial disease.

These complex diseases can affect many different organs especially those with high energy needs like the brain, eyes or heart. There are no cures and few treatment options exist, so children often die in severe cases. Having a child with mitochondrial diseases can place huge emotional and financial tolls on families, with significant economic costs for health care systems.

With limited treatment options, some experts place more hope in preventing children from inheriting mitochondrial diseases altogether. Sometimes called three parent IVF, mitochondrial replacement therapies make this possible by replacing the unhealthy mitochondria in an egg cell or embryo with healthy ones from a donor woman. Using this technique, couples at high risk of having children with mitochondrial diseases can then have a healthy child who is biologically related to them.

Mitochondrial replacement therapies do, however, raise a few concerns. Health problems could arise from molecular mismatches between the parents nucleus and donor mitochondria or from a treated embryo reverting to an unhealthy state, though these risks are hypothetical for now. And female children born through mitochondrial replacement therapies could, theoretically, pass these conditions to their children.

Because mitochondria carry 37 of their own genes, children born from mitochondrial replacement therapies technically have DNA from three people the couple and the woman who donated her healthy mitochondria. The donor contributes a minuscule amount of DNA less than 1% but this does raise questions about their parenthood. Another concern is that swapping out mitochondria (and their DNA) in embryos makes for a slippery slope to designer babies, especially now that three births have occurred after gene editing.

Regulating mitochondrial replacement therapies

These safety and ethical concerns call for policy to investigate and minimize risks, while answering questions like what the legal status of the third parent should be.

In 2015, the United Kingdom became the first jurisdiction in the world to expressly legalize and regulate mitochondrial replacement therapies, creating a system to license clinics for this service. This move came after an extensive public engagement process. Regulation is overseen by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, which governs all human fertility treatments and research within the U.K. Two other countries, Australia and Singapore, are considering legislative amendments to follow in the U.K.s footsteps.

While brand-new regulatory systems for mitochondrial replacement therapies may seem ideal, lessons learned from other emerging technologies suggest most countries probably wont adopt this approach since existing rules often apply already, though maybe not in an ideal way. The trick then becomes making sure existing rules can still cover concerns with the new technology. However, this reality has led to critics raising the alarm about unregulated mitochondrial replacement therapies, especially since medical tourism is already happening.

Even if most countries dont enact new laws, many already have rules which should apply to mitochondrial replacement therapies. For example, the U.S. wont need a new regulatory system if it removes its current ban on the technology. The Food and Drug Administration already plans on regulating mitochondrial replacement therapies with the same tools it uses for biologics, a broad category of medical products ranging from vaccines to gene therapy.

Mexico got a bad reputation for having no rules after a child was born there via mitochondrial replacement therapies, but legal scholars have pointed out that Mexicos regulations on health research likely prohibit this use of mitochondrial replacement therapies. However, these rules werent triggered because doctors modified the embryos in the U.S., before sending them to Guadalajara for the treatment. Instead, the U.S. FDA intervened, informing the clinic that they had violated U.S. law in several ways.

In Greece, regulators already approved a clinical trial for mitochondrial replacement therapies using their existing rules for fertility treatments although the trial addresses the success of fertility treatments instead of preventing mitochondrial diseases. And in Ukraine, though the details are murky, health officials appear to have similarly approved a clinical trial for mitochondrial replacement therapies.

Moving forward

Reproductive technologies have allowed millions of families around the world to conceive healthy children over the last 42 years. For the first time, recent advances in mitochondrial replacement therapies could allow families who otherwise couldnt have a healthy child of their own to do so. But changes in law that restrict access to IVF could have profound social and medical impacts that would ripple across the country.

[Deep knowledge, daily. Sign up for The Conversations newsletter.]

Rather than making reproductive technologies like mitochondrial replacement therapies more difficult to access especially for those with a medical reason for doing so we believe regulators and governments should be looking for ways to provide individuals access to these technologies in a way that promotes safety and efficacy for everyone involved. That includes those living in the U.S. who wish to access mitochondrial replacement therapies in their own country.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/disputes-over-when-life-begins-may-block-cutting-edge-reproductive-technologies-like-mitochondrial-replacement-therapies-146254.

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Disputes over when life begins may block cutting-edge reproductive technologies like mitochondrial replacement therapies - Jacksonville...

Embryology

LETTER: Another ‘ball of humor’ – Observer-Reporter

Another Monday, another Dave Ball ball of humor.

Ball rustles around in his closet and pulls out his dusty, defunct, Trump U letter sweater and orange rally pom-pom, and goes about scribbling down his theories. The thing about theories is that there is supporting or refuting data that determines the acceptance of the theory. Stating what one read on their personally chosen internet sites does not make for a data set. In fact, I harken back to the beginning of the worldwide web in the early '90s, when the tagline was, "Don't Believe Everything You Read on the Internet."

I do find considerable amusement that Ball considers himself an emeritus on so many topics politics, neurology, geology, embryology, civil rights, to name just a few. The truly wonderful yet puzzling thing about our always great country is that bloviating egotists get a column a week to spew their particular form of personal belief.

I refer to a line spoken a few years ago: "Don't talk unless one can improve upon the silence."

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LETTER: Another 'ball of humor' - Observer-Reporter

Embryology

What is embryo ‘adoption’ and is it available in the UK? – Metro.co.uk

Embryo adoption is not a commonly used term in the UK. What does it mean? (Picture: Getty)

For many, having their own family by biological means is simply not possible.

There is an increasing number of options available to those people, from adoption to surrogacy or egg or sperm donation.

In the US and other countries, the topic of embryo adoption or donation is coming up more and more.

But what does it mean, can you get it here, and what are the benefits of this procedure?

Widely referred to as embryo donation but sometimes adoption this refers to the process of donating, or being a recipient, of an embryo.

Although its sometimes referred to as adoption, this is not a legal or technical term as adoption refers to a live child after birth.

However, some people who have gone through the process refer to it as such, with the US National Embryo Donation Center saying that many parents describe it as giving birth to your adopted child.

As a result, the phrase has slipped into common parlance.

However, the term is contested in the States where it is more common with many scientists saying it should be seen as a medical procedure rather than a form of child adoption.

Experts in the UK resist using the term too, with some claiming it is misleading because the child in question would be carried by their so-called adoptive mother, who would also assume all legal responsibility for them.

Therefore, donation is the more accurate term.

Fiona MacCallum, Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Warwick University, previously wrote in Bio News: Children conceived through embryo donation do resemble adopted children in that they are reared by two parents with whom they have nogeneticlink.

Significantly though, the situations differ in that the recipient mother in embryo donation is also the gestational mother.

Due to this biological link, embryo donation and adoption differ from each other legally and psychologically.

A spokesperson for the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority (HFEA), the UK fertility regulator in the UK told Metro.co.uk: We generally dont use the term embryo adoption in the UK.

If someone donates their leftover embryos to someone elses treatment wed refer to this as embryo donation in the UK, whereas in the US its commonly referred to as embryo adoption.

Embryo donation is available in the UK at licensed clinics.

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Embryo donation is when another couples embryo is implanted in your womb during IVF.

People may decide to donate their embryos if they have frozen embryos after fertility treatments that they decided not to use themselves.

Donating them to give another family a chance is a route many take, rather than discarding them, or donating them to research.

The procedure allows the woman to experience pregnancy herself something which wouldnt be available with options such as adoption.

Embryo donationfollows the same principles as egg or sperm donation. If the embryos are donated through a licensed fertility clinic, the donor wont have any legal responsibility for any children born as a result.

However, under law, donors can not remain anonymous and when they turn 18, anyone conceived with a donor is entitled to ask for their name, date of birth, and last known address.

According to HFEA: In the UK, any patient who has undergone treatment and has embryos left that they dont want to discard, can consider donating them to someone elses treatment, fertility research or training.

We encourage anyone who chooses donation to use a licensed clinic. Clinics are required to screen and test any donation, including donated embryos, for a wide range of infectious diseases and genetic illnesses which offers protection to health of the recipient and future children who may be born. Clinics also ensure that the legal parenthood implications are understood and consented to by donors and recipients.

You can search for clinics that offer embryo donation on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA)s website.

MORE: Can you put yourself up for adoption?

MORE: What could go against you in the adoption process?

Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Share your views in the comments below.

Adoption Month is a month-long series covering all aspects of adoption.

For the next four weeks, which includes National Adoption Week from October 14-19, we will be speaking to people who have been affected by adoption in some way, from those who chose to welcome someone else's child into their family to others who were that child.

We'll also be talking to experts in the field and answering as many questions as possible associated with adoption, as well as offering invaluable advice along the way.

If you have a story to tell or want to share any of your own advice please do get in touch at adoptionstories@metro.co.uk.

Here is a selection of the stories from Adoption Month so far:

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What is embryo 'adoption' and is it available in the UK? - Metro.co.uk

Embryology

Fifth baby born in Greece using the maternal spindle transfer method as part of pilot trial conducted by the Institute of Life and Embryotools…

ATHENS, Oct. 21, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- A fifth babywas born using the maternal spindle transfer method, as part of the pilot trial conducted by the scientific team of the Institute of Life and Embryotools in Greece,on October14, 2020. In the context of this pilot trial, this method has already led to the birth of 4 more babies, from women with significant fertility problems and a serious history of multiple IVF failures.

The fifth baby was born to a 33 years old Greek mother, who had undergone nine failed IVF cycles in the past. Because of her poor oocytes quality, none of her fertilized oocytes reached the blastocyst stage.

Attending obstetrician/gynecology surgeon Dr. Panagiotis Psathas,issued the following statement: This woman had already a history of 9 failed IVF attempts. The course of the clinical research is optimistic so far. I'm really happy, as a member of the team, for the birth of the 5th baby with the maternal spindle transfer method, in the context of the clinical research conducted by the Institute of Life and Embryotools scientific team.

In a joint statement, Dr. Nuno Costa-Borges, Co-Founder of Embryotools, and Mr. Eros Nikitos, Director of the Institute of Life Embryology Lab, noted:Today is one more very important milestone for our pilot trial, as one more woman with a complex history of failed IVF attempts gave birth to a totally healthy baby with her own genetic material. At the same time, the other 4 children that have been born until now are all well health-wisetoo and are being monitored based on a special pediatric protocol. The medical data of our pilot trial are being enriched everyday with new data arising from the monitoring of the other 25 women which are participating in the clinical research.

About the Maternal Spindle Transfer Pilot Trial

The maternal spindle transfer pilot trial involves mitochondrial replacement in human oocytes, fully preserving the genetic material of the woman who wants to reproduce. In this way, in the context of the pilot trial being carried out by the Institute of Life and Embryotools, the scientific team is researching the potential of addressing the problems of women with fertility issues and multiple IVF failures caused by cytoplasmic dysfunctions of their oocytes, and the potential of addressing serious mitochondrial diseases.

Important Note:

Births of children using the maternal spindle transfer method are performed in the context of an ongoing research protocol concerning a pilot trial that leads to pregnancy, which is conducted in accordance with the terms and conditions of Law 3305/2005. Based on current scientific findings, the maternal spindle transfer method is not an established infertility treatment, nor a recognized method of medically assisted reproduction.

For more information: https://www.iolife.eu/

SOURCE Institute of Life

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Fifth baby born in Greece using the maternal spindle transfer method as part of pilot trial conducted by the Institute of Life and Embryotools...

Embryology

Shady Grove Fertility (SGF) Welcomes Reproductive Endocrinologist Selma Amrane, M.D., to the Maryland Medical Team – Benzinga

SGF is honored to have Dr. Selma Amrane join its Towson location, which offers excellence in fertility care to the Baltimore region.

ROCKVILLE, Md. (PRWEB) October 23, 2020

Shady Grove Fertility (SGF) is proud to announce that reproductive endocrinologist, Selma Amrane, M.D., has joined the practices Towson medical team. Dr. Amrane will join Drs. Stephanie Beall, Eugene Katz, Cori Tanrikut, and Ricardo Yazigi, and will begin seeing patients at SGFs Towson location in late November 2020.

Dr. Amrane specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of infertility, including gynecologic endocrine issues, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), male-factor infertility, and infertility from endometriosis.

"I am most proud of the level of hard work and dedication of each and every team member at SGF," says Dr. Amrane. "I think this has to do with how passionate each team member is about the extraordinary, noble goal of helping patients families grow, and I am proud to be a part of such a talented group."

Dr. Amrane earned her medical degree from University of Maryland, School of Medicine and completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Weill Cornell Medical Center. Following, she completed a 3-year fellowship in reproductive endocrinology and infertility at Columbia University Medical Center.

Dr. Amrane has been an advocate for patient access to fertility treatment and has participated in lobbying on Capitol Hill with organizations such as RESOLVE, the National Infertility Association. She is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). She has also presented her research on multiple gestation and in vitro fertilization at several national meetings.

"I believe that a little bit of extra time and comfort goes a long way," says Dr. Amrane. "The process of fertility testing and treatment is not easy. I lend an ear to listen and answer all the questions my patients may have so we can provide the best treatment possible in response to their unique experiences."

Patients have access to 12 SGF Maryland locations, with the Towson office offering full-service care including an embryology laboratory, IVF center, and new patient video consults.

"Dr. Amrane brings immense value to our SGF Towson medical team with her extensive knowledge, compassionate care, and fluency in Spanish and French," says Dr. Eugene Katz. "Together, our team will continue to offer the diverse community of Baltimore County access to the most advanced fertility treatment possible."

Patients may schedule an appointment with Dr. Amrane at SGFs Towson location by calling 1-877-761-1967 or submit this brief form. Patients also have access to SGF Towsons unique financial options, such as the 100% refund program for IVF, that help make fertility treatment more affordable.

About Shady Grove Fertility (SGF)

SGF is a leading fertility and IVF center of excellence with more than 85,000 babies born and 5,000+ 5-star patient reviews. With 37 locations throughout FL, GA, MD, NY, PA, VA, D.C., and Santiago, Chile, we offer patients virtual physician consults, deliver individualized care, accept most insurance plans, and make treatment affordable through innovative financial options, including 100% refund guarantees. More physicians refer their patients to SGF than any other center. Call 1-888-761-1967 or visit ShadyGroveFertility.com.

For the original version on PRWeb visit: https://www.prweb.com/releases/shady_grove_fertility_sgf_welcomes_reproductive_endocrinologist_selma_amrane_m_d_to_the_maryland_medical_team/prweb17490631.htm

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Shady Grove Fertility (SGF) Welcomes Reproductive Endocrinologist Selma Amrane, M.D., to the Maryland Medical Team - Benzinga

Embryology

ESHRE updates its fertility clinic guidance for second wave of infections – ESHRE

New guidance from ESHRE for maintaining safe fertility services during a dramatic spike in COVID-19 case numbers has realigned mitigation steps according to local levels of infection.

As countries throughout the world face up to a second wave of COVID-19 infections, ESHRE and others have upgraded safety guidelines for fertility clinics. ESHRE has reaffirmed its guidance from April on the reopening of clinics after lockdowns (phase 2 of the pandemic), but has now in this latest phase added two further measures as complementary to that April guidance: more testing in addition to the triage questionnaires; and greater information to patients on COVID-19 and its prevention before and during pregnancy.(1)

The new guidance also advises that mitigation measures should be in place depending on the level of infection in a region. Thus, a first core step in this latest guidance is to recognise the current epidemiological status of the pandemic and to assess its likely impact on internal resources (such as staff and equipment) and on patients. The second step is to plan mitigation measures according to that assessment to reduce those risks. A local notification rate of 20 to 60 cases per 100,000 population (moderate impact) might require no further measures than those already applied routinely. However, an area of major (60-120 cases per 100,000) or critical (>120 cases per 100,000) would require more intensive measures such as more routine testing of patients and staff, remote consultations, no accompanying persons, routine use of PPE, and even a freeze-all transfer policy. The measures relative to the case notification rate are set out in clear diagrammatic form in the ESHRE guidance.

The guidance was made public just a few days after the ESHRE COVID-19 working group published its review of resuming fertility services with mitigation measures after the initial flare of the pandemic.(2) The paper describes the measures needed to restart safe routine treatments in fertility clinics and the rationale behind their application. The review (published as an opinion) covers patient selection and informed consent, staff and patient triage and testing, the modification of ART services, treatment planning and a code of conduct. The code of conduct, as set out in ESHREs April guidance on the second phase of the pandemic, remains an important component of this latest guidance on the third phase.

The ASRM, though without the same infection spikes in the USA as seen in Europe, has also updated its COVID-19 recommendations to reaffirm the judicious delivery of reproductive care within a framework of careful preventive measures.(3) With COVID-19 case numbers still running high in the USA, the ASRM describes these measures as critical in managing this ongoing pandemic.

The worry for clinics back in Europe must be whether this second wave of infection becomes so critical in some countries that some centres might have to close once again. However, it now seems clear that the guidance on the resumption of routine treatments provided by ESHRE, the ASRM and other authorities has offered effective protocols for the safe provision of service. The paper from the ESHRE COVID-19 working group just published provides strong point-by-point evidence of that.(2) And it's on this basis that the UKs HFEA, for example, on 13 October reassuringly reported that with such professional guidelines in place a new national closure of fertility clinics should not be necessary. However, as ESHREs latest guidance notes, the HFEA also recognises that staff sickness or patient restrictions may yet force some clinics to close. Its likely that some countries may also requisition hospital beds for intensive care support.

Meanwhile, patients and staff may be further reassured by results from a case report from Spain in which two asymptomatic oocyte donors tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection before egg collection.(4) The eggs were subsequently donated for research for the presence of viral RNA. However, total RNA amplification from single cells of their vitrified-warmed oocytes failed to detect the presence of any viral RNA of SARS-CoV-2 in the cells. The authors thus concluded: Our report suggests that vertical transmission in these women may not occur through their oocytes during treatment, and that handling of this material in the clinical embryology laboratory may not constitute a hazard for healthcare professionals.

However, a meta-analysis just published in Nature Communications of 176 published cases of SARS-CoV-2 infections in neonates has found that the majority of them (around 70%) occurred postnatally, although vertical transmission may be possible in around 30% of the cases, either intrapartum or congenital.(6) Some 9% of these latter cases were actually confirmed as vertical infections. Just over half the infected neonates went on to develop COVID-19, while the rest were asymptomatic. One of the investigators, Daniele De Luca from the Antoine Beclere hospital in Paris, said that it was important for doctors to be aware that neonates can be born with the virus or contract it while in hospital. At the beginning of the pandemic, some argued that this would never touch babies, he reported. Its rare, but it does exist. Breastfeeding seemed not associated with SARS-CoV-2 infections, suggesting that viral transmission through the milk, if any, should be rare.

Further details on COVID-19 and pregnancy, including updates from ongoing registry studies, continue to be provided in detail by the UKs RCOG.(5)

1. See https://www.eshre.eu/covid19wg2. Gianaroli L, Ata B, Lundin K, et al. The calm after the storm: re-starting ART treatments safely in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hum Reprod 2020; doi.org/10.1093/humrep/deaa285.3. https://www.asrm.org/news-and-publications/news-and-research/?filterbycategoryid=214. Barragan M, Guilln JJ, Martin-Palomino N, et al. Undetectable viral RNA in oocytes from SARS-CoV-2 positive women. Hum Rep[rod 2020; doi.org/10.1093/humrep/deaa2845. https://www.rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-research-services/guidelines/coronavirus-pregnancy/6. Raschetti R, Vivanti AJ, Vauloup-Fellous C, et al. Synthesis and systematic review of reported neonatal SARS-CoV-2 infections. Nature Communications 2020; 11: 5164.

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ESHRE updates its fertility clinic guidance for second wave of infections - ESHRE

Embryology

Merck Foundation partners with Burundi First Lady to build healthcare capacity, empower girls in education and break the infertility stigma -…

Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany partnered with The First Lady of Burundi, H.E. Madam ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE, during a high-level meeting held between Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and Burundi First Lady. During the meeting, Merck Foundation underscored their long-term commitment to continue their efforts to build healthcare capacity, empower girls in education and break the infertility stigma in Burundi. The First Lady of Burundi was also appointed as the Ambassador of Merck More Than a Mother during the meeting.

H.E. Madam ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE, The First Lady of Burundi and Ambassador of Merck More Than a Mother expressed, I am very happy to partner with Merck Foundation and excited to capitalize on their valuable programs in our country. These programs will create a very significant impact on our peoples advancement, as health is very critical to our social and economic development. As the Ambassador of Merck More than a Mother, I will work closely with Merck Foundation to sensitize our communities to better understand infertility and empower women through access to education, information, health and change of mindset and also empower our girls through education.

Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President, Merck More Than a Mother emphasized, I am very proud of our partnership with Burundi First Lady and welcome her as the Ambassador of Merck More Than a Motherand new member of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative-MFFLI . We have discussed our long-term collaboration and partnership with her Foundation and Ministry of Health & Ministry of Education to build healthcare capacity in Burundi, by providing training to doctors in the fields of Cancer, Fertility, and Diabetes care. With the outbreak of the global pandemic, building healthcare capacity is more significant than ever, and through our long-term partnership we are looking forward to creating a strong medical army in Burundi.

The Burundi First Lady had also attended Merck Foundations first Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) VC Summit held last month, which was attended by a total of 13 African First Ladies and introduced her development programs in Burundi.

Merck Foundation has conducted their capacity building programs in Burundi for the past three years through their partnership with Burundi government and Former First Lady of Burundi, H.E. MADAM DENISE NKURUNZIZA

Merck Foundation has provided specialty training to more than 31 doctors from Burundi and will continue doing so for the next 10 years plan.

Merck Foundation made history by providing training to the first oncologist and fertility specialists and embryologists in Burundi.

So far 10 doctors have completed the fertility and embryology training, and together with Burundi First Lady, more doctors will be trained to improve access to quality and equitable fertility care in the country.

Merck Foundation has also trained the first Oncologist in Burundi and will continue enrolling doctors for oncology fellowship program as a contribution to improve cancer care in the country.

Moreover, Merck Foundation has provided Diabetes care training to twenty doctors and is going to train more doctors, one from each province. After completion of the training, these doctors should be able to establish a diabetes clinic in his/her Health Centre or Hospital with the aim to help prevent and manage the disease in their respective communities.

We will continue our new important Program Educating Linda, in partnership with the First Lady of Burundi together with the Ministry of Education. Under this program, we have sponsored 20 girls in 2019 and will sponsor the education of 20 best performing girls in their secondary schools this year and fir the next 10 years. We strongly believe that Education is one of the most critical areas of women empowerment, added Dr. Rasha Kelej, One of 100 Most Influential Africans (2019, 2020).

Merck Foundation also announced a winner from Burundi for their Stay at Home Media Recognition Awards from French speaking African Countries.

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Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard:Facebook:bit.ly/2MmUl3pTwitter:bit.ly/2NDqHLRYouTube:bit.ly/318obQeInstagram:bit.ly/2MtCKsuFlicker:bit.ly/2P7AICNWebsite:Merck-Foundation.com

About Merck More Than a Mother campaign:Merck More Than a Mother is a strong movement that aims to empower infertile women through access to information, education and change of mind-sets. This powerful campaign supports governments in defining policies to enhance access to regulated, safe, effective and equitable fertility care solutions. It defines interventions to break the stigma around infertile women and raises awareness about infertility prevention, management and male infertility. In partnership with African First Ladies, Ministries of Health, Information, Education & Gender, academia, policymakers, International fertility societies, media and art, the initiative also provides training for fertility specialists and embryologists to build and advance fertility care capacity in Africa and developing countries.

With Merck More Than a Mother, we have initiated a cultural shift to de-stigmatize infertility at all levels: By improving awareness, training local experts in the fields of fertility care and media, building advocacy in cooperation with African First Ladies and women leaders and by supporting childless women in starting their own small businesses. Its all about giving every woman the respect and the help she deserves to live a fulfilling life, with or without a child.

The Ambassadors of Merck More Than a Mother are:

H.E. NEO JANE MASISI, The First Lady of Botswana

H.E. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW, The First Lady of The Gambia

H.E. MONICA GEINGOS, The First Lady of Namibia

H.E. ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE,

The First Lady of Burundi

H.E. REBECCA AKUFO-ADDO, The First Lady of Ghana

H.E ASSATA ISSOUFOU MAHAMADOU, The First Lady of Niger

H.E. BRIGITTE TOUADERA, The First Lady of Central African Republic

H.E. COND DJENE, The First Lady of Guinea Conakry

H.E. AISHA BUHARI, The First Lady of Nigeria

H.E. HINDA DEBY ITNO, The First Lady of Chad

H.E. CLAR WEAH, The First Lady of Liberia

H.E FATIMA MAADA BIO, The First Lady of Sierra Leone

H.E. ANTOINETTE SASSOU-NGUESSO, The First Lady of Congo Brazzaville

H.E. MONICA CHAKWERA, The First Lady of Malawi

H.E. ESTHER LUNGU, The First Lady of Zambia

H.E. DENISE NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI, THE First Lady of Democratic Republic of Congo

H.E. ISAURA FERRO NYUSI, The First Lady of Mozambique

H.E. AUXILLIA MNANGAGWA, The First Lady of Zimbabwe

Merck Foundation launched new innovative initiatives to sensitize local communities about infertility prevention, male infertility with the aim to break the stigma of infertility and empowering infertile women as part of Merck More than a Mother COMMUNITY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN, such as;

About Merck Foundation:TheMerck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality & equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare and scientific research capacity and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website. Please visit http://www.Merck-Foundation.com to read more. To know more, reach out to our social media:Merck Foundation(www.Merck-Foundation.com);Facebook(bit.ly/347DsTd),Twitter(bit.ly/2REHwaK),Instagram(bit.ly/2t3E0fX),YouTube(bit.ly/2E05GVg) andFlicker(bit.ly/2RJjWtH).

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Merck Foundation partners with Burundi First Lady to build healthcare capacity, empower girls in education and break the infertility stigma -...