IVF expert advises self-regulation in aiding aged couples

Hisar (Haryana), May 15

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Elderly couples who want to have a child through IVF should compulsorily nominate legal guardians for the baby prior to treatment, a doctor who recently helped a septuagenarian couple give birth to their first child has suggested to the apex body of gynaecologists in the country.

The medical fraternity across the country had raised concern over the use of in-vitro fertilisation after the Amritsar couple — Mohinder Singh Gill (79) and his wife Daljinder Kaur (72) — gave birth to a child on May 11, with many demanding a law in this regard due to concerns over the welfare of the child who may not get a normal childhood.

Dr Anurag Bishnoi, who helped the Amritsar couple, in his letter to Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI), has suggested that IVF experts should opt for self regulation while helping such couples as right of becoming mother is a “fundamental” right.

Recently there has been upsurge in number of older women getting pregnant with the help of Assisted Reproductive Technology, Dr Bishnoi, an embryologist and owner of National Fertility Centre, here, said.

Educational and career goals, late marriages and rise in contraception services have also contributed to the shift in child bearing patterns, he said.

American law has no such restrictions but medicine in practice guidelines recommended that all recipients of oocyte donation over the age of 45 should undergo thorough medical evaluation, including cardiovascular testing, and a high risk obstetric consultation before treatment, he said. — PTI