Is prolonged preservation of human eggs a financially unnecessary endeavor?

Is prolonged preservation of human eggs a financially unnecessary endeavor?

In the realm of reproductive science, a groundbreaking study has shed light on how human eggs remain dormant for decades, maintaining their longevity through a process that slows down their cellular waste disposal systems[1][3][5]. This discovery could potentially revolutionise the way we approach fertility treatments, particularly egg freezing.

The research, led by Dr Elvan Böke at the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) in Barcelona, found that mitochondria, proteasomes, and lysosomes in eggs work at only half their normal rate[6]. This slowing down of internal processes likely reduces the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can damage DNA over time.

### Implications for Egg Freezing

The findings could lead to more effective methods for preserving frozen eggs, potentially improving the success rates of egg freezing as a fertility treatment. However, it is essential to remember that the underlying biological fact that fertility declines with age remains unchanged[4]. Despite advances in preservation techniques, success rates for egg freezing remain relatively low, especially for women over 35.

### Marketing and Success Rates

The egg freezing industry often promotes the idea that preserving one's fertility is a straightforward solution. However, the process is expensive and not without risks, and the success rates can vary significantly based on age and other factors[2][4]. The financial burden disproportionately affects women, creating a fertility wealth gap, as the procedure can be costly, involving significant expenses for hormone injections, egg retrieval, and storage[2].

Moreover, a separate report from the Progress Educational Trust (PET), published in 2022, raises concerns about the effectiveness and ethical implications of egg freezing[7]. Professor Robert Winston, cited in the report, warns that some fertility clinics are "highly exploitative" and that freezing eggs "is a scam" because it "almost never leads to a successful birth."

### Ethical Concerns

Some UK clinics have launched "freeze and share" schemes where women can get discounted freezing in exchange for donating eggs to others, a move seen by some as unethical[8]. The practice raises uncomfortable questions about the ethics and effectiveness of egg freezing, especially given that freezing often happens later in life when egg quality is already compromised[8].

In conclusion, while the new research on human egg longevity offers valuable insights, it does not fundamentally change the challenges and uncertainties associated with egg freezing as a fertility treatment. The industry must address concerns about marketing, success rates, and financial accessibility to ensure that women have realistic expectations and equitable access to these services.

- A growing number of women are turning to egg freezing over 40, when success rates are known to be lowest. - The American Society for Reproductive Medicine removed the "experimental" label from egg freezing in 2012. - The Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology decided not to recommend egg freezing for healthy women in 2015 due to health risks and low pregnancy rates. - IVF practices may be challenged by the Barcelona study, including the common practice of pushing supplements to improve egg health. - The report was written by Letara Draghia.

[1] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-05734-1 [2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6889340/ [3] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-05735-0 [4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6900598/ [5] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-05736-9 [6] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-05737-8 [7] https://pettrust.org/news/2022/02/25/egg-freezing-and-the-fertility-industry-a-call-to-action/ [8] https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/feb/24/egg-freezing-fertility-treatments-unethical-concerns-rising-uk-clinics

1. The realm of science extends beyond reproductive science, encompassing diverse fields like medical-conditions, chronic-diseases, respiratory-conditions, digestive-health, eye-health, hearing, health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, autoimmune-disorders, climate-change, and environmental-science.
2. The manufacturing industry is another domain shaped by science, with a focus on production processes and quality control.
3. Mental-health is a crucial aspect of workplace-wellness, underscoring the need for stress-management programs and mindfulness practices.
4. Mens-health and women's-health are both essential aspects of healthcare, addressing unique medical concerns and disparities.
5. Skin-care and therapies-and-treatments are vital components for maintaining skin health, including addressing skin-conditions.
6. Nutrition plays a crucial role in cardiovascular-health, as well as overall well-being, promoting healthier choices for diet and lifestyle.
7. The industry of finance is intertwined with environmental-science, as they both grapple with the impacts of climate-change on the economy and investments.
8. Energy is another significant area influenced by science, with innovations in clean, renewable energy sources gaining prominence.
9. Mental-health is not solely about personal health, but also includes the mental well-being of entrepreneurs, leaders, and professionals in the retail, transportation, and small-business sectors.
10. Diversity-and-inclusion initiatives address unbalanced representation in tech industries like fintech and venture-capital, where men have traditionally held prominent roles.
11. Wearables and smart-home-devices have revolutionized personal-finance and wealth-management, allowing users to monitor their financial health more effectively.
12. Home-and-garden enthusiasts can also leverage advanced technologies, such as smartphones and gadgets, for budgeting and data-and-cloud-computing solutions.
13. The finance sector is heavily involved with real-estate, stock-market, private-equity, and savings, often requiring expertise in debt-management and financial planning.
14. Cybersecurity is crucial for safeguarding personal data, particularly in the digital age, where banking-and-insurance services and fintech platforms are prevalent.
15. Lifestyle choices impact not only our personal health, but our workplace productivity, and overall quality of life.
16. A health-focused lifestyle includes prioritizing fitness-and-exercise, nutrition, and skin-care routines.
17. Environmental-science is intrinsically linked to the health of our planet, and thus, to our own health and well-being.
18. The increasing focus on climate-change calls for innovative solutions in energy production and consumption.
19. The medical-field, including reproductive science, often benefits from advancements in artificial-intelligence, which streamlines diagnostic and therapeutic processes.
20. Despite advancements in medical care, some chronic-diseases, like cancer, continue to pose significant challenges to the healthcare industry.
21. The research into human egg longevity can inform treatment methods for respiratory-conditions and digestive-health.
22. Industry leaders in various sectors, such as manufacturing, finance, and technology, should prioritize workplace-wellness initiatives for their employees.
23. Embracing diversity-and-inclusion in the workplace can foster a more innovative and productive environment.
24. Entrepreneurship can offer opportunities for individuals to address social issues, such as the affordability of quality healthcare and mental-health services.
25. Smartphones and wearables can facilitate telemedicine, making healthcare more accessible for those in rural or underserved areas.
26. Smart-home-devices can help manage personal finances, improve energy efficiency, and promote home-and-garden care.
27. Cybersecurity is essential for protecting sensitive health information, guarding against identity theft and fraud.
28. The advancements in digital health technologies can bridge gaps in access to care, particularly for those underserved by traditional medical systems.
29. By prioritizing health-and-wellness, we can improve our quality of life, making meaningful contributions in the spheres of family, careers, and the broader community.

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