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Eighteen Ways to Make a Baby
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Program Overview
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Advances in reproductive technology have enabled doctors and
prospective parents to explore many new methods of conception. NOVA
examines infertility treatments that push the limits of biology.
The program:
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introduces the technique of in vitro fertilization (IVF), a
significant breakthrough in 1978 that is now a mainstream
treatment.
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presents the challenges of infertility: One in six couples
struggles with infertility issues, with the odds of conceiving
against them.
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notes that infertility treatments are painful and emotionally
draining, and there is an increased chance of multiple
pregnancies, which can result in premature birth and a risk of
disabilities.
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illustrates the process of micro-manipulation, which allows
doctors to select and inject sperm into eggs, and to perform
microscopic procedures on developing embryos.
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describes advances in egg donation, the transfer of parts of
donor eggs, and sperm sorting to increase the odds of having a
child of a specified gender.
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raises ethical questions about the implications of reproductive
technology.
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