Unanswered Questions about Reviving "Old" Eggs
These are exciting times for reproductive medicine. New technology is expanding the realm of possibility beyond what was imaginable even just a few decades ago. However, along with new techniques often comes a new round of ethical questions.
article on AUGMENT, developed by OvaScience, a Cambridge-based research company. AUGMENT involves injecting healthy mitochondria—the cells’ energy providers—into aging eggs to improve their quality. According to OvaScience, AUGMENT has led to six live births.
In 2013, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) required that AUGMENT come under its purview as a new drug. So OvaScience stopped offering AUGMENT in the U.S., and simply went elsewhere.
Interviewed for the Fusion article, PFC’s Carolyn Givens, MD said she thinks the FDA did the right thing. Along with the FDA and others, she first wants an answer to an important question: Could this technique lead to genetic disease or mutations? Dr. Givens also raised an ever-present ethical question: Exactly how far back should we push the biological clock?
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Welcome to the Pacific Fertility Center Blog! Nationally and internationally recognized for providing exceptional reproductive care, our team believes in empowering people with the knowledge they need to navigate their unique fertility journeys.
From information on the latest fertility treatments to valuable insights on egg donation, surrogacy, and everything in between, the Pacific Fertility Center Blog is your ultimate resource for all things reproductive care and support. Read on to learn more, and contact us today if you have any questions or want to schedule a new patient appointment.