UPSC Express

In brief: In-vitro fertilization and frozen embryos

Basics

• In case of sexual reproduction, the beginning of development of an offspring is fertilization of male and female gametes into zygote (a fertilized egg or embryo).
• The zygote (embryo) is then implanted into the uterus where it develops into full-fledged organism in various stages.
• From the day of fertilization (union of male and female gamete) up till 8 weeks the undeveloped zygote is called embryo.

Infertility

• Infertility may occur due to various reasons
  • Insufficient production of sperm for zygote formation
  • Insufficient production of oocyte
  • Failure to implant embryo into uterus

In-vitro fertilization

• One way of assisted reproductive technology is IVF
  • In in-vitro fertilization, the fertilization of egg occurs externally outside the body.
  • The externally developed fertilized zygote or embryo is then implanted inside the uterus for full-fledged development into human.

 

In focus: Smuggling of frozen embryos

What are frozen embryos?

• The embryos so developed in-vitro are sometimes frozen and stored for future use.
• The embryos are generally stored in liquid nitrogen or nitrogen vapour at a temperature below -190°C.

 

Reasons for storing embryos

• Some couples store embryos for conceiving at a later date. (Implanting in the uterus)
• In-vitro fertilization is done choosing desirable gametes. (say a male European gamete)
• Patients with terminal illness like cancer may store gametes or even embryos before they undergo a radiation therapy.
• Couples may store frozen embryos to continue in-vitro fertilization in countries where IVF procedures are cheaper and cost effective like in India.
• Further some couples may choose to store frozen embryos in order to continue the IVF procedure in countries where commercial surrogacy is allowed.

 

Import of frozen embryos

• India has emerged as the surrogacy hub of the world since 2002.
• There has been rampant misuse of frozen embryos leading to illegal surrogacy in India because of the low cost of IVF procedure here.
• Until 2015, import of frozen embryos or gametes was allowed in India subject to a ‘No Objection Certificate’ from Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

 

Law governing import of embryos in India

• In order to stop this practice, commercial surrogacy was banned in India when the parliament passed the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill 2016 recently.
• Further import of human embryo is “prohibited” except for research purposes from 2015.