Analysis of embryos’ cryopreservation in in vitro fertilization from orthodox point of view


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Abstract

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is the most effective and wide-spread means to overcome the infertility. Many contemporary types of IVF are accompanied with ovary hyperstimulation and so result in an excessive embryos appearance. But only one or two of them are transferred into a uterus. Others are being cryopreserved and kept in liquid nitrogen for future possible use. Even though the rate of pregnancy after cryopreservation is higher than in fresh cycles of IVF, there occurs a damage of embryos during freezing procedures. So Orthodox bioethics regards cryopreservation as a homicide. Moreover, the fact that not all embryos are going to be thawed and transferred into uterus to succeed a pregnancy leads to an increase of the number of embryos being frozen. The Article provides the arguments for cryopreservation to be ethically unacceptable, but also reveals some possible cases when cryopreservation (but only in vitrification form) could be justified.

About the authors

Roman Tarabrin

I. M. Sechenov Moscow State Medical University; Moscow Theological Academy

Email: romanscrivt@ya.ndex.ru
Priest, assistant of Philosophy and History of Medicine Department, Postgraguate at the Department of Theology

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