The number of babies born globally as a result of assisted reproductive technology (ART) has reached an estimated 5 million since the first, Louise Brown, came into the world in July 1978. The figures will be presented this week at the 28th annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE), in Istanbul, Turkey.
Commenting on this remarkable milestone, Dr David Adamson, from Fertility Physicians of Northern California, in the US, and chairman of ICMART, said: “It means that this technology has been highly successful in treating infertile patients. Millions of families with children have been created, thereby reducing the burden of infertility.
“The technology has improved greatly over the years to increase pregnancy rates. The babies are as healthy as those from other infertile patients who conceive spontaneously. The technology is available globally in many different cultures. The major barriers to access are economic, and societal in some situations.
“With these accomplishments as a technology, and with recognition of Professor Robert Edwards as a Nobel laureate, IVF is firmly established now in the mainstream of medicine.”
Read the full story here: http://www.eshre.eu/ESHRE/English/Press-Room/Press-Releases/Press-releases-2012/ESHRE-2012/5-million-babies/page.aspx/1606
