Expert calls for vigilance on IVF problems
Friday, 13 June 2008 Anna Salleh
ABC News
'As men age the DNA of their sperm gets damaged and this can cause disease in their children later in life.
As humans become more dependent on reproductive technologies, an Australian reproductive biologist say we must remain vigilant to avoid the spread of genetic or epigenetic defects.
The warning comes in an editorial by Professor John Aitken, of the University of Newcastle, in the current issue of Expert Review of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
"People shouldn't be too confident that just because the baby looks normal there is no damage there that won't appear later in life," he says.
"People underestimate how much genetic damage they're passing onto the embryos."
Sandra Hill, CEO of ACCESS Australia, a group led by patients seeking IVF treatment, ... says many of the concerns raised by Aitken also apply to natural conception and she thinks the use of IVF should not be singled out.
She says it could be useful to educate men in general about the concerns raised by Aitken - especially the need for men to have children before they get too old.'
To find out what you can do to minimise the risks from ageing and poor quality sperm read "Supercharge Your Sperm!" by Heather Bruce.
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