Embryos in Amsterdam clinic possibly infected by bacteria
IVF treatment has unsuspected dangers. A clinic in Amsterdam placed embryos which may have been infected with a bacterium which can cause meningitis in the wombs of 16 women.
The bacterium, Sphingomonas koreensis, was discovered in checks of the Petri dishes where the embryos are placed at the VU University teaching hospital. All IVF treatment has been halted until the clinic identifies the source of the infection.
Normally the bacterium is not dangerous, even to embryos, according to a spokesman for the clinic. “We have reported this more as a precaution than because we are concerned something could go wrong,” embryologist Sebastiaan Mastenbroek told broadcaster NOS.
Marjolein Grömminger, from the infertility support group Freya said the news is “terrible for all the women involved and their partners”.
Michael Cook edits BioEdge, a bioethics newsletter, and MercatorNet, an on-line magazine whose focus is human dignity. He writes from Sydney, Australia.
Latest posts by Michael Cook (see all)
- How long can you put off seeing the doctor because of lockdowns? - December 3, 2021
- House of Lords debates assisted suicide—again - October 28, 2021
- Spanish government tries to restrict conscientious objection - October 28, 2021
One thought on “Embryos in Amsterdam clinic possibly infected by bacteria”
Comments are closed.
More Stories
Gaza’s IVF embryos have been destroyed by Israeli bombs
One of the many casualties of the war in Gaza has been the embryos and gametes stored at the Al-Basma IVF...
RFK Jr’s vice-presidential pick is a vehement critic of IVF
IVF could be a major issue in the 2024 US Presidential campaign. So it’s interesting that the main independent candidate,...
World IVF market is already US$25 billion
According to Vision Research Reports, the size of the global IVF market was estimated at US$25.3 billion in 2023. By 2023 it will...
Some Americans are disposing of their costly frozen embryos
The cost of storing frozen embryos is steadily rising in the United States, prompting some people to have them destroyed....
After Supreme Court decision, Alabama protects IVF – but has it gone too far?
Alabama’s legislature and governor moved quickly to protect IVF after its Supreme Court startled the nation by ruling that embryos...
Scientists move step closer to making IVF eggs from skin cells
Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University have developed a promising technique for creating artificial eggs. In the journal Science Advances they described...
Many Catholics today, are unaware of the Church’s teachings regarding the IVF procedure.