In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a popular method of assisted reproductive technology (ART) used to help couples conceive.

While IVF has become a standard treatment for infertility, it has also been the subject of controversy and speculation concerning its impact on the health and wellbeing of children conceived through the method. Some have suggested that IVF may cause genetic abnormalities or changes, leading to health problems later in life. However, recent research has shown that IVF has no effect on adult genes.

The basics of IVF

IVF involves a series of procedures that aim to help a woman conceive by fertilizing her eggs outside of her body.

The procedure begins with the administration of medications that stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple mature eggs, rather than the usual one egg each month. The eggs are then retrieved through a minor surgical procedure and combined with sperm in a laboratory dish. The resulting embryos are allowed to develop for a few days before being transferred into the woman’s uterus.

Since the first successful IVF procedure was performed in 1978, the method has become increasingly sophisticated and widely used. Today, around 2-3% of all live births in developed countries are the result of IVF or related ART methods.

Controversies surrounding IVF

Despite its success, IVF has been the subject of some concerns and controversies. One area of concern is the potential impact of IVF on the genetic makeup of children conceived through the procedure.

Some have speculated that IVF may cause abnormalities or changes in DNA that could lead to health problems later in life. Others have suggested that IVF may be associated with an increased risk of birth defects or other health issues.

However, research has shown that these concerns are largely unfounded.

Studies have consistently found that children conceived through IVF are just as healthy as those conceived naturally, with no significant differences in their physical, mental, or emotional wellbeing. In fact, some research has suggested that children conceived through IVF may actually have a slightly lower risk of certain health problems, such as low birth weight or premature delivery.

No effect on adult genes

Recent research has further dispelled concerns about the long-term impact of IVF on children’s genes.

A 2020 study published in the journal Nature Genetics found that children conceived through IVF showed no differences in their epigenetic profiles compared to those conceived naturally. Epigenetics refers to changes in gene expression that can occur without changes to the underlying DNA sequence.

The study involved a large-scale analysis of epigenetic data from over 2000 individuals, including both IVF-conceived and naturally-conceived individuals.

The results showed no significant differences between the two groups in terms of their epigenetic patterns, indicating that IVF does not have a long-term impact on adult genes.

Other factors to consider

While IVF itself does not appear to have any impact on adult genes, there are other factors to consider when it comes to the health of children conceived through the procedure.

One factor is the age of the mother, which can affect both the success of IVF and the health of the resulting child. Women who undergo IVF at older ages may be more likely to experience certain complications during pregnancy and may have a higher risk of preterm delivery or low birth weight infants.

Another factor is the use of certain medications during the IVF process, such as hormone treatments or antibiotics.

While these medications are generally considered safe, some studies have suggested that they may be associated with a slightly higher risk of certain conditions, such as cancer or autism. However, the evidence for these risks is mixed, and more research is needed to fully understand any potential associations.

The bottom line

IVF is a safe and effective method of assisted reproduction that has helped millions of couples to conceive. Contrary to some concerns, IVF has no impact on adult genes or the long-term health of children conceived through the procedure.

While there are other factors to consider when it comes to IVF, such as maternal age and the use of certain medications, these risks are generally low and can be managed with proper medical care.