https://www.healthline.

com/health/artificial-insemination

Artificial insemination is a fertility treatment method used to deliver sperm directly to the cervix or
uterus in the hopes of getting pregnant. Sometimes, these sperm are washed or “prepared” to increase
the likelihood a woman will get pregnant.

Two chief approaches to artificial insemination:

 Intracervical insemination (ICI)

o Involves inserting sperm into the cervix. This approach can be used in a doctor’s office or
at home.
o A woman will monitor her ovulation cycle using a calendar method, ultrasound, by
taking her temperature regularly, or a combination of these. Sometimes, a doctor may
prescribe medications to induce ovulation and increase the likelihood a woman will
release multiple eggs. Clomid is one commonly prescribed medication.
o A woman’s partner will donate sperm for use or a woman will obtain a sperm sample
from a donor.
o A doctor will insert sperm into the vagina using a special syringe. Another option is to
place the sperm in a cervical cap that’s inserted into the cervix and stays for a
designated amount of time.
o A woman will typically be instructed to lie down for 15 to 30 minutes. This ideally allows
the sperm to move up from the cervix into the uterus.
o A woman can return to her regular activities after this time. In about two weeks or
slightly longer, she’ll take a pregnancy test to determine if the insemination process was
successful.

 Intrauterine insemination (IUI)

o Involves inserting sperm past the cervix and directly into the uterus. The steps for this
process are similar to that of ICI, but are usually performed at a doctor’s office and with
specially prepared sperm.
o The semen is prepared or “washed” to remove potential proteins that could affect
fertilization. This also makes the sperm more concentrated. Ideally, this will increase the
likelihood a woman will conceive.
o A doctor will use a special instrument called a speculum to make the uterus easier to
access. They’ll use a special, thin instrument inserted through the vagina and place the
sperm into the uterus.

PROCESS OF AI

Conceiving requires a man’s sperm to travel up the vagina, through the cervix, into the uterus, and into
a fallopian tube where an egg is fertilized. Sometimes a man’s sperm isn’t mobile enough to make this
trip. A woman’s cervix may not be favourable to allow sperm to travel into the uterus. These instances
and other situations, artificial insemination may help a woman conceive.
Recommended to a couple pursue artificial insemination:

 After six months of having unprotected sex if a woman is older than age 35
 After a year of having unprotected sex if a woman is younger than age 35

SIDE EFFECTS:

 cramping or light bleeding

 pelvic infection or inflammation
 likelihood for multiple children (Twin or triplets)

BENEFITS:

Some of the conditions a doctor may recommend artificial insemination for include:

 couples where a man may have a genetic defect and using donor sperm is preferred
 men with a low sperm count
 men with low sperm motility
 women whose cervical mucus may be unfavourable to getting pregnant
 women with a history of endometriosis
 Single woman or a same-sex couple can get pregnant using donated sperm.

https://www.ipl.org/essay/Ethical-Issues-Of-Artificial-Insemination-FKZF6QHESJPR

ETHICAL ISSUES IN OF ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION:

There are many problems that could arrive or already being seen as a result of Artificial Insemination in
the humans. The main problem is that the father of the child denies to fully accepting the child as his
own. The affection cannot take place truly between father and the child. Also in many cases, it results
into the conflict between husband and wife.

According to Dr. Gerard Kelly,

“Artificial Insemination is contrary to the divine plan for marriage; it is the product of a false philosophy
of life; it generally involves the immoral procurement of sperm; and its consequences on social life are
apt to be disastrous.”

https://journalofethics.ama-assn.org/article/ama-code-medical-ethics-opinions-assisted-reproductive-
technology/2014-01

Known donor:

Any individual or couple contemplating artificial insemination by husband, partner, or other known
donor should be counselled about the full range of infectious and genetic diseases for which the donor
or recipient can be screened, including communicable disease agents and diseases. Full medical history
disclosure and appropriate diagnostic screening should be recommended to the donor and recipient but
are not required.

Informed consent for artificial insemination should include disclosure of risks, benefits, and likely
success rate of the method proposed and potential alternative methods. Individuals should receive
information about screening, costs, and procedures for confidentiality, when applicable. The prospective
parents or parent should be informed of the laws regarding the rights of children conceived by artificial
insemination, as well as the laws regarding parental rights and obligations.

Sex selection of sperm for the purposes of avoiding a sex-linked inheritable disease is appropriate.
However, physicians should not participate in sex selection for reasons of gender preference. Physicians
should encourage a prospective parent or parents to consider the value of both sexes.

If semen is frozen and the donor dies before it is used, the frozen semen should not be used or donated
for purposes other than those originally intended by the donor. If the donor left no instructions, it is
reasonable to allow the remaining partner to use the semen for artificial insemination but not to donate
it to someone else. However, the donor should be advised of such a policy at the time of donation and
be given an opportunity to override it.

Anonymous donor:

Thorough medical histories must be taken of all candidates for anonymous semen donation. All
potential donors must also be screened for infectious or inheritable diseases which could adversely
affect the recipient or the resultant child. Frozen semen should be used for artificial insemination
because it enables the donor to be tested for communicable disease agents and diseases at the time of
donation, and again after an interval before the original semen is used, thus increasing the likelihood
that the semen is free of blood-borne pathogens.

Physicians should rely on the guidelines formulated by relevant professional organizations, such as the
American Society of Reproductive Medicine, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the
Food and Drug Administration, in determining which disorders to screen for and which procedures to
use in screening. Physicians should maintain a permanent record which includes both identifying and
non-identifying health and genetic screening information. Other than exceptional situations where
identifying information may be required, physicians should release only non-identifying health-related
information in order to preserve the confidentiality of the semen donor.

Physicians should maintain permanent records of donors to fulfill the following obligations:

 to exclude individuals from the donor pool who test positive for infectious or inheritable
diseases
 to limit the number of pregnancies resulting from a single donor source so as to avoid future
consanguineous marriages or reproduction
 to notify donors of screening results which indicate the presence of an infectious or inheritable
disease
 to notify donors if a child born through artificial insemination has a disorder which may have
been transmitted by the donor.

Informed consent for artificial insemination should include disclosure of risks, benefits, likely success
rate of the method proposed and potential alternative methods, and costs. Both recipients and donors
should be informed of the reasons for screening and confidentiality. They should also know the extent of
access to non-identifying and identifying information about the donor. Participants should be advised to
consider the legal ramifications, if any, of artificial insemination by anonymous donor.
The consent of the husband is ethically appropriate if he is to become the legal father of the resultant
child from artificial insemination by anonymous donor. Anonymous donors cannot assume the rights or
responsibilities of parenthood for children born through therapeutic donor insemination, nor should
they be required to assume them.

In the case of single women or women who are part of a homosexual couple, it is not unethical to
provide artificial insemination as a reproductive option.

Sex selection of sperm for the purposes of avoiding a sex-linked inheritable disease is appropriate.
However, physicians should not participate in sex selection of sperm for reasons of gender preference.
Physicians should encourage a prospective parent or parents to consider the value of both sexes.

In general, it is inappropriate to offer compensation to donors to encourage donation over and above
reimbursement for time and actual expenses.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/in-vitro-fertilization/about/pac-20384716

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a complex series of procedures used to help with fertility or prevent genetic
problems and assist with the conception of a child. Mature eggs are collected (retrieved) from
ovaries and fertilized by sperm in a lab. Then the fertilized egg (embryo) or eggs (embryos) are
transferred to a uterus. One full cycle of IVF takes about three weeks. Sometimes these steps are split
into different parts and the process can take longer.

IVF is the most effective form of assisted reproductive technology. Can be done using a couple's own
eggs and sperm. Or IVF may involve eggs, sperm or embryos from a known or anonymous donor. In
some cases, a gestational carrier — someone who has an embryo implanted in the uterus — might be
used.

FACTORS AFFECTING THE CHANCES OF SUCCESSFUL IVF

 age and the cause of infertility

 IVF can be time-consuming, expensive and invasive. If more than one embryo is transferred to
the uterus, IVF can result in a pregnancy with more than one fetus (multiple pregnancy).

WHY IT IS DONE

 In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a treatment for infertility or genetic problems.

 If IVF is performed to treat infertility, you and your partner might be able to try less-invasive
treatment options before attempting IVF, including fertility drugs to increase production of eggs
or intrauterine insemination — a procedure in which sperm are placed directly in the uterus
near the time of ovulation.
 IVF is offered as a primary treatment for infertility in women over age 40. 
  IVF can also be done if you have certain health conditions:
o Fallopian tube damage or blockage. Fallopian tube damage or blockage makes it
difficult for an egg to be fertilized or for an embryo to travel to the uterus.
o Ovulation disorders. If ovulation is infrequent or absent, fewer eggs are available for
fertilization.
 o Endometriosis. Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus
implants and grows outside of the uterus — often affecting the function of the ovaries,
uterus and fallopian tubes.
o Uterine fibroids. Fibroids are benign tumors in the uterus. They are common in women
in their 30s and 40s. Fibroids can interfere with implantation of the fertilized egg.
o Previous tubal sterilization or removal. Tubal ligation is a type of sterilization in which
the fallopian tubes are cut or blocked to permanently prevent pregnancy. If you wish to
conceive after tubal ligation, IVF may be an alternative to tubal ligation reversal surgery.
o Impaired sperm production or function. Below-average sperm concentration, weak
movement of sperm (poor mobility), or abnormalities in sperm size and shape can make
it difficult for sperm to fertilize an egg. If semen abnormalities are found, a visit to an
infertility specialist might be needed to see if there are correctable problems or
underlying health concerns.
o Unexplained infertility. Unexplained infertility means no cause of infertility has been
found despite evaluation for common causes.
o A genetic disorder. If you or your partner is at risk of passing on a genetic disorder to
your child, you may be candidates for preimplantation genetic testing — a procedure
that involves IVF. After the eggs are harvested and fertilized, they're screened for
certain genetic problems, although not all genetic problems can be found. Embryos that
don't contain identified problems can be transferred to the uterus.
o Fertility preservation for cancer or other health conditions. If you're about to start
cancer treatment — such as radiation or chemotherapy — that could harm your fertility,
IVF for fertility preservation may be an option. Women can have eggs harvested from
their ovaries and frozen in an unfertilized state for later use. Or the eggs can be
fertilized and frozen as embryos for future use.

RISKS OF IVF:

 Multiple births. IVF increases the risk of multiple births if more than one embryo is transferred
to your uterus. A pregnancy with multiple fetuses carries a higher risk of early labor and low
birth weight than pregnancy with a single fetus does.
 Premature delivery and low birth weight. Research suggests that IVF slightly increases the risk
that the baby will be born early or with a low birth weight.
 Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Use of injectable fertility drugs, such as human chorionic
gonadotropin (HCG), to induce ovulation can cause ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, in
which your ovaries become swollen and painful.
Symptoms typically last a week and include mild abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting and
diarrhoea. If you become pregnant, however, your symptoms might last several weeks. Rarely,
it's possible to develop a more severe form of ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome that can also
cause rapid weight gain and shortness of breath.
  Miscarriage. The rate of miscarriage for women who conceive using IVF with fresh embryos is
similar to that of women who conceive naturally — about 15% to 25% — but the rate increases
with maternal age.
 Egg-retrieval procedure complications. Use of an aspirating needle to collect eggs could
possibly cause bleeding, infection or damage to the bowel, bladder or a blood vessel. Risks are
also associated with sedation and general anaesthesia, if used.
 Ectopic pregnancy. About 2% to 5% of women who use IVF will have an ectopic pregnancy —
when the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube. The fertilized egg
can't survive outside the uterus, and there's no way to continue the pregnancy.
 Birth defects. The age of the mother is the primary risk factor in the development of birth
defects, no matter how the child is conceived. More research is needed to determine whether
babies conceived using IVF might be at increased risk of certain birth defects.
 Cancer. Although some early studies suggested there may be a link between certain medications
used to stimulate egg growth and the development of a specific type of ovarian tumor, more-
recent studies do not support these findings. There does not appear to be a significantly
increased risk of breast, endometrial, cervical or ovarian cancer after IVF.
 Stress. Use of IVF can be financially, physically and emotionally draining. Support from
counsellors, family and friends can help you and your partner through the ups and downs of
infertility treatment.

Before beginning a cycle of IVF using your own eggs and sperm, you and your partner will likely need
various screenings, including:

 Ovarian reserve testing.

 Semen analysis.
 Infectious disease screening.
 Practice (mock) embryo transfer.
 Uterine exam.

https://cbc-network.org/issues/making-life/surrogacy/

Surrogacy is often referred to as “womb renting” wherein a bodily service is provided for a fee. The
practice is fraught with complexity and controversy surrounding the implications for women’s health
and human rights generally.

The growing surrogacy phenomenon in which women agree to have their bodies used to undergo a
pregnancy and give birth to the resulting baby is becoming a major issue of the 21st century.
Increasingly, surrogates function as gestational carriers, carrying a pregnancy to delivery after
having been implanted with an embryo. Since the surrogate usually has no biological relationship to
the child, she has no legal claim and the surrogate’s name does not appear on the birth certificate.

ISSUES OF SURROGACY:

  the rights of the children produced

  the ethical and practical ramifications of the further commodification of women’s bodies
 the exploitation of poor and low income women desperate for money
  the moral and ethical consequences of transforming a normal biological function of a
woman’s body into a commercial transaction
 the rights of the child are almost never considered

Transferring the duties of parenthood from the birthing mother to a contracting couple denies the child
any claim to its “gestational carrier” and to its biological parents if the egg and/or sperm is/are not that
of the contracting parents. In addition, the child has no right to information about any siblings he or she
may have in the latter instance.

Surrogacy is another form of the commodification of women’s bodies. Surrogate services are advertised,
surrogates are recruited, and operating agencies make large profits. The commercialism of surrogacy
raises fears of a black market and baby selling, of breeding farms, turning impoverished women into
baby producers and the possibility of selective breeding at a price. Surrogacy degrades a pregnancy to a
service and a baby to a product.