Gamete+Intrafallopian+Transfer

__ GAMETE INTRAFALLOPIAN TRANSFER ﻿ __ 

//**What problems do couples have that this technology can fix, and how does it aid in reproduction?**// Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (or GIFT), is an ART tool to aid couples with unexplained infertility, low sperm count and low sperm motility (ability to move) in men. On average, one GT cycle takes 4-6 weeks, and has a success rate of 25 – 30%. To start, a woman must take a fertility drug in order to stimulate egg production. During this time, a doctor will monitor the growth of the ovarian follicles. When these follicles are mature, the woman is injected with Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, and approximately 36 hours later, her eggs will be harvested. Immediately after harvesting the eggs will be mixed with sperm and placed back into the fallopian tubes using laparoscopy (small incisions around the pelvic area). Afterwards, the recipient will be given progesterone to stimulate the build-up of the uterine lining.

Here is a short video on the actual laparoscopic procedure of GIFT (WARNING: This video clip may disturb some viewers!)  media type="youtube" key="k2LcWjAAoDM?fs=1" height="385" width="480" align="center" **//How long has this technology been available? Who is eligible to use it? //**Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer was invented in 1984 by the endocrinologist Richard Asch at the University of Texas Health and Science Centre, San Antonio. Asch is notable for work in reproductive technology (but is now living in Mexico after being charged in America for the misuse of human embryos). GIFT is often recommended for couples or individuals with infertility, or women who wish to get pregnant but have ovulation or cervical problems.The treatment is available in most Australian IVF clinics.

//**Is this technology ethical? Why/why not?**// Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer can be appealing to people with religious or moral beliefs that oppose IVF, as the actual fertilisation of the egg happens inside the woman’s body – technically, the procedure is not IVF. Still, the technology concerns the Catholic Church: “Some theologians consider this [GIFT] to be a replacement of the marital act, and therefore immoral”. There are many views on when a new individual’s life truly begins, and so many views as to how far human manipulation of pregnancy should go. One view believes that life starts at Syngamy, when the genetic material of the egg and the sperm become one. This is often about 20 hours after sperm entry into the egg. According to peoples’ moral or religious beliefs, life can start at other stages along the pregnancy. This is why some may prefer to use GIFT as an Assisted Reproductive Technology – in order to have fertilisation and Syngamy occur naturally within the body. I have no views on whether fertilisation and Syngamy should happen within or outside of the body; I believe that choice is up to the individual. However, I do believe that because neither egg nor sperm is being physically changed or injected with foreign genetic material with unknown risk, that this procedure is ethical.  //**An example of the technology's success:**// <span style="color: #000080; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Diane and Greg Smith had been unsuccessful in conceiving a child, and had been on fertility drugs for 2 years before they tried Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer. The first time they used GIFT, it ended in the miscarriage of twins. <span style="color: #000080; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">On trying again, the couple fell pregnant and had a daughter, Kayla, who was born on the 2nd of February 1993 when Diane was 37 years old.

For stories, advice and information on infertility, click here.