“ Babies born from in-vitro fertilization (IVF) are up to 10 times more likely to suffer from rare genetic disorders, according to a pro-IVF geneticist. In an address to the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society, University of Toronto geneticist Dr. Rosanna Weksberg called for more study of a link between fertility treatment and certain rare genetic disorders. “We are seeing a significant increase in risk,” she said, according to the Financial Post. “The most important message is … we need follow-up study.”
For example:
Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome occurs in one of every 1,300 fertility-treatment children, compared to one in 13,000 in the general population, according to Weksberg. It causes symptoms such as unevenly sized limbs, an enlarged tongue and a high risk of kidney tumors.
Angelman syndrome occurs in one in 1,500 among fertility-treatment children, compared to one in 15,000 in the general population. It causes serious mental retardation and speech impairment.
In addition to these genetic conditions, there is evidence of an increased chance that a baby will be born at a low weight, and research has also suggested an increased risk of autism, reports the Post.”
Not surprisingly, fertility clinics want to keep these statistics under wraps.
“Weksberg says she would like to partner with fertility clinics to study larger populations of fertility-treatment children, but has not been able to find any willing to work with her.”
JEREMY KRYN “IVF babies up to 10 times more likely to suffer rare genetic disorders: geneticist” LifeSiteNews Sep 26, 2011
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