Issues
Assisted Reproductive Technologies
Assisted reproduction is now a $3 billion dollar a year industry in the United States; tens of thousands of Americans pursue fertility treatments each year. Assisted reproductive technologies (also called ARTs) cover a range of fertility treatments including in vitro fertilization (IVF) and surrogacy. ARTs, for those who can afford them, have increased the ability of couples who could not otherwise do so, to become biological parents. READ MORE >
Stem Cell Research
Women have largely been invisible in the debate over stem cell research, yet women’s bodies are at the center of some forms of human embryonic stem cell research. One avenue of research uses embryos that were created for fertility purposes, but are no longer needed by the people who created them. Another pursuit, Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) or “research cloning” depends on a fresh supply of women’s eggs. As the field of stem cell research has evolved, however, the most promising avenue of research is the use of iPS – induced pluripotent stem cells – a process that doesn’t use embryos at all. So why do some researchers still push for women’s eggs? READ MORE >
Eggs On Campus
The amount of money that these ads offer to egg donors may be irresistible. But before you consider donating your eggs, for your own health and well-being, learn about the process and its risks. READ MORE >
Gene Patents
Gene patents may seem like an unusual women’s health concern. But some of the many patents that have been granted on human genes significantly limit access to genetic tests that may be critical for women’s health.
The most notorious of these patents is the one held by Myriad Genetics on the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Women with certain mutations of these genes have an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer, but Myriad’s patents may prevent them from getting the essential information they need to minimize their risk and guard their health. READ MORE>