Reportedly the recent ‘success’ story of a 74 year old woman from Andhra Pradesh, who delivered twins following in vitro fertilization (IVF) has left many in awe and shock. Meanwhile the successful implementation of IVF on an elderly woman has been recognized as a scientific advance, several others have criticized the hospital’s decision to allow a 74 year old woman to undergo IVF.
Furthermore on September 5, this 74 year old Mangayamma a native of Andhra Pradesh's Guntur town, delivered twin girls via a c-section. Apparently she and her husband, 80 year old Sitarama Rajarao, decided to undergo IVF after 57 years of being childless, while she may be the oldest woman to have had children via IVF, it has also raised ethical questions. Moreover Doctors from the Indian Society for Assisted Reproduction (ISAR), Indian Fertility Society, and the Academy of Clinical Embryologists have issued a joint statement, rebuking the hospital for its decision.
The letter reads “We are deeply appalled in knowing about such unprofessional conduct of some health providers in misusing the current ART procedures. It is deplorable omission of ethics, morality and misuse of the Assisted Reproductive Technologies”. Moreover citing a section of the Artificial Reproductive technology (ART) Bill, 2017, the statement also adds that ART should not be made available to women below the age of 18 and above the age of 45.
