The British government are proposing to offer IVF on the NHS to women over 40 and those with infectious diseases, such as Hepatitis C and HIV, or who have disabilities and are unable to have sex. There is a strong argument against this in the current climate especially as treatment and drugs for patients suffering from cancer etc… are being withdrawn.
Our dinner table discussion last night was should IVF be available on the NHS for these categories of women over cancer treatment?
It is a sensitive debate. For many women, the desire to have a baby far outweighs rational thought processes no matter what age. Women are settling down later in life and the right moment to have a family might just be in their 40’s. I would much rather a stable 40 year have a child than an immature 20 year old. However, there a re known medical risks for having children so late and with the biological clock ticking off, the are some medics that say that the success rates are also slimmer.
On the other hand, to deny cancer sufferers treatment that could ease their dying days makes me shudder. These drugs would never cure the patient and so the stance is to avoid expensive treatment where unneccessary.
In a fair world, treatment would be offered to all. However, in cash strapped England, maybe the priority should be with those suffering from life threatening illnesses.
What do you think?
Bunty
