Thread by @ncrawfordmd

Why are IVF and abortion tightly linked? IVF came into existence in a Roe world (Roe had been around almost 10 years before the first IVF baby). Roe allowed IVF - and maybe you’ve never thought of this.

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When we protect reproductive rights we inherently say that embryos are not autonomous and can’t exist independently. This means that we don’t grant embryos rights. This means I am allowed to utilize reproductive technology to help people get pregnant.

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Because I can fertilize eggs, freeze embryos, test embryos, and transfer/discard embryos. This is essential for safe, accessible and effective IVF care.

IVF is a tool that allows so many babies to be born.

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We use IVF to treat infertility - but also think about fertility preservation, cancer, genetic diseases, need for gestational carriers, egg donation, recurrent miscarriage and more. So many people use IVF to have a child.

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The fear is that when Roe is overturned states will then individually decide their stance on this matter / and personhood bills threaten this. If life begins legally at fertilization - then we are limited in the above technology.

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And for reference, in the body - fertilization occurs in the fallopian tube, the embryo has to travel to the uterus for the next 5 days, then it implants, then you can get a positive pregnancy test.

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Every day we talk to people who have their own personal beliefs about IVF - and we talk about changes we can make to the process for your goals. Everyone feels different. That is ok, we anticipate you have your own needs.

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For example, I can limit fertilization and transfer all embryos if you don’t believe in freezing/thawing embryos - but IVF will take longer, cost more, and be less successful. It also starts to become more dangerous.

Similarly - should you be forced to birth all embryos?

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Limiting reproductive rights has consequences. And if a personhood bill was introduced to the Supreme Court - and the draft opinion language is upheld, then we as a nation are in trouble.

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Roe predated IVF, so the truth is we don’t know what will happen. And if you have frozen embryos, you should be watching closely. But we also need your voice. We need you to share. We need you to vote.

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