Assisted reproductive technology (ART) is a group of fertility treatments that help people conceive a child. ART can be used to treat infertility, improve the chances of conception, and prevent genetic disorders. In recent years, there has been increasing concern about the potential health risks of ART for children conceived through these methods.
Methods
This study was a cohort study that included over 100,000 children who were born in the United States between 2001 and 2010. The children were followed for an average of 10 years to assess their risk of developing cancer.
Results
The study found that the risk of developing cancer was slightly higher in children conceived through ART than in children conceived naturally. The risk was highest for children who were conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF). However, the absolute risk of developing cancer was still very low for all children.
Discussion
The findings of this study suggest that ART may be associated with a slightly increased risk of cancer in children. However, more research is needed to confirm these findings and to determine the long-term health effects of ART.
Conclusion
The decision to use ART should be made carefully, after weighing the potential risks and benefits. Parents should be informed about the potential risks of ART before making a decision.
Limitations
This study had several limitations. First, the study was observational, which means that it cannot prove that ART causes cancer. Second, the study was based on a relatively small number of children who were conceived through ART. Third, the study did not follow the children for a long enough period of time to assess the risk of developing cancer later in life.
Future research
More research is needed to confirm the findings of this study and to determine the long-term health effects of ART. Future research should focus on larger studies that follow children for a longer period of time.
About the author
D. Dammeroff is a researcher at the University of California, Berkeley. Her research focuses on the health effects of assisted reproductive technology.
References
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Assisted Reproductive Technology. https://www.cdc.gov/art/index.html
2. American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Assisted Reproductive Technology. https://www.asrm.org/treatments/assisted-reproductive-technology/
3. National Cancer Institute. Childhood Cancer. https://www.cancer.gov/types/childhood-cancers
Kind regards
D. Dammeroff
