Law triggers IVF tourism in Germany
Published 28 April, 2009, 11:00
Women over 60 are becoming mothers, and parents can choose if they want a boy or a girl – all thanks to the wonders of modern medicine. But, such help is not available to couples in Germany.
Instead, there are strict rules governing fertility treatment, which some believe are too restrictive on prospective parents.
Thomas Bartels and Birgit Brand have been trying to have a baby for 5 years. With no success naturally, they are now on their third IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) treatment, and they are hoping it will be the last. They say they are content with the fertility system in Germany at the moment, but with more options available abroad, such as egg donation and selection, they might be tempted to leave in the near future.
“It’s hard to say today what we will do, how much patience, how much strength do we have, how many attempts do we want to make, especially if it fails this time. And if so, then we will have to really think about whether we will go abroad to have a better chance of getting pregnant,” says Thomas Barlets.
His spouse, Birgit Brand, continues, “For me, at the moment, the thought of using a donated egg is unimaginable. But that is today. And because we have no idea how long it might take, my feelings could change.”
Legislative obstacles
According to German law, a woman can have up to three embryos planted in her womb, but unlike in other countries, there is no selection process – so these embryos are not chosen from a larger number.
Crucially, all of the embryos must be used, and not disposed of or frozen.
Doctor Andreas Tandler-Schneider, Head of the Berlin Fertility Centre, explains, “It has to do with our history in Germany. There’s a high protection of life in general after the Nazi era. It is now very important to have respect for life, and that is the reason for such a strict law.”
While it might be strict, Dr. Tandler-Schneider says, only a small group of German couples are affected. But it is this small group which is seeking help elsewhere – and sparking a debate about whether the law needs changing.
“In other countries such as Sweden, doctors usually plant just one embryo into a womb, which they think stands the best chance of future development, which is something they figure out during lab tests. But here, in Germany, this selection process is banned,” he added.
IVF tourism
Biologists admit that Berlin lags behind in its scientific research, and that choosing a single embryo to implant cuts the risks posed by multiple births, but they are not calling for an adjustment to regulations yet, and say they are happy with the results they are getting.
“The main outcome, of course, is the baby take-home rate. The pregnancy rate is 30%, and is more or less the same as in France, Belgium or anywhere else. So, I think the methods we use, and how we perform it is comparable to other European states,” says Dr. Kraus Sibold, Director of Laboratory.
But what’s not the same are the ethics and laws governing these methods.
The disparity across Europe is apparently driving a so-called IVF tourism, and is something the officials want changed, to provide a safe and unified strategy to fertility.
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