Controversial Statements Made by Fertility Expert Suggests Dark Side to IVF

A Norwegian fertility expert, Dr Hans Hanevik, says IVF could affect future generations by allowing disease-prone people to have babies when nature would normally stop them from doing so.

Dr Hans Hanevik, lead researcher for the fertility department at Norway's Telemark Hospital, states in-vitro fertilization (IVF) will lead to humans becoming increasingly reliant on artificial help to conceive. In his provocative statement, Dr. Hanevik said that allowing couples who cannot conceive naturally to have babies through artificial fertilization could alter human evolution.

Dr. Hanevik is expected to tell the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology next month he believes that detective genes that normally die with the carrier are being passed on, leading to future generations needing the same help to have children. 

In his abstract submitted for the conference, Dr Hanevik wrote, “In accordance with the principle of evolution, subsequent generations will thus be genetically adapted to an environment in which reproduction is increasingly dependent on technological intervention.”

Dr. Hanevik denies that he is anti-IVF or anti-artificial reproductive technology. He stresses that he is not criticizing IVF, rather he urges more discussions on the topic.

Given the ever-increasing numbers of babies born by IVF, it is a topic worth researching and discussing.

If you are considering IVF, but have not yet looked into alternatives, we urge you to review what treatments are available to you. Our acupuncturists would be pleased to book an appointment with you to discuss your goals, concerns, and devise a plan with you.