In Vitro Fertilization Can Be a Help to Families

Many have weighed in on Dolce & Gabbana’s comments about “synthetic babies” from in vitro fertilization (IVF) and some have even said they would go so far as to boycott their fashion items.

The fashion icons recently did an interview with an Italian magazine; Domenico Dolce said, “You are born to a mother and a father. Or at least that’s how it should be. I call children of chemistry, synthetic children. Rented wombs, semen chosen from a catalog.”

Since that controversial interview, Stefano Gabbana told CNN that he supported IVF.

This buzz around IVF is generating a time to discuss the role it can play in families, notesAvner Hershlag, MD, chief of the Center for Human Reproduction at the North Shore-LIJ Health System.

IVF involves sperm fertilizing an egg outside of a person’s body when that person is unable to conceive or for other reasons. Dr. Hershlag said that about six million people have been born through IVF since its inception in 1978.

“Contrary to the premise that seeps through the commentaries from Dolce & Gabbana, IVF does not represent a break in the loving relationship in couples,” Dr. Hershlag said.

He added that children can help to “cement the relationship” between two partners.

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