varoblog

(sz) A task force has been established to provide infertile couples in poor countries with access to affordable reproductive treatments such as IVF, a European group of fertility experts announced today. They are aiming to roll out a network of cheap clinics that could offer IVF, for example, for as little as US$200 a time.
With the average marriage in sub-Saharan Africa yielding six children, and many national governments in the region striving to reduce birth rates, the move is likely to be controversial. But in much of the developing world, children are important — not only because many children tend crops and do other work, but also because of the stigma of childlessness that can lead to women being socially excluded.
An estimated 186 million women of reproductive age in the developing world suffer infertility problems — in some countries in sub-Saharan Africa, almost one-third of women are unable to conceive.
Assisted reproduction technologies (ARTs) such as IVF are available in richer countries, although at a cost of up to US$10,000 per attempt, or ‘treatment cycle’, the price tag is far beyond what can be afforded in developing countries. more…

From: »nature.news«

This entry was posted on Monday, March 17th, 2008 at 08:00 by Stephan Zapf and is filed under General, Industry, Media. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.