In England will be free to conduct IVF homosexual couples and HIV-infected
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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British health experts recommended softening the age limits for in vitro fertilization (IVF), according to Healthcare Today. The relevant guidelines were published by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).
According to the recommendations of NICE, issued in 2004, the procedure of IVF at the expense of budgetary funds is allowed to be carried out for women, whose age does not exceed 39 years. In the new manual, the institute's specialists proposed to increase the age limit to 42 years.
The document recommends that budgetary medical institutions carry out in vitro fertilization to homosexual couples and patients on treatment with a particular malignant disease. As noted by Bloomberg Businessweek, in the former case, management only reinforces the established practice, as at present many state clinics already provide relevant services to gays.
NICE experts also advised to offer IVF to people with various infectious diseases, including HIV-infected. In addition, the list of candidates for a free procedure is proposed to be expanded at the expense of couples who could not conceive a child within two years (earlier this period was three years) and disabled people.
As previously reported, according to the Office for National Statistics, the frequency of multiple pregnancies in Britons increased by almost seven percent between 2000 and 2010. Specialists attribute this trend to the growing popularity of reproductive technologies. In particular, every fourth pregnancy is the result of IVF, whereas in natural conception it is only one of 80 pregnancies.