Today's Sermon:Give Me a bit of That Old Time... Science

Sigh. The same fascist fundies who take Viagra, get secret (private) abortions, buy and sell babies through private adoption agencies, and pay big bucks to In Vitro fertilization clinics are suddenly concerned about the number of eggs fertilized in artificial insemination procedures?

AN ACT relating to in vitro fertilization.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky:

SECTION 1. A NEW SECTION OF KRS 311.710 TO 311.820 IS CREATED TO READ AS FOLLOWS:
(1) As used in this section, "in vitro fertilization" means the process of harvesting or retrieving one (1) or more egg cells from a female, fertilizing the egg with sperm cells with the intent to create a fetus, and transferring the fertilized egg into a female's womb or uterus for further development.
(2) Any person performing an in vitro fertilization or allowing an in vitro fertilization to occur shall not fertilize more than one (1) egg during the in vitro fertilization process.
(3) A person who violates subsection (2) of this section is guilty of a
Class D felony. LINK

Let me see if I understand this law, introduced by Rep. Lonnie Napier...

It's OK to risk the destruction of one egg during the In Vitro process, but it's a Class D felony for risking more than one egg?

Ahem. From American Pregnancy...

Multiple eggs are desired because some eggs will not develop or fertilize after retrieval.

Your eggs are retrieved through a minor surgical procedure which uses ultrasound imaging to guide a hollow needle through the pelvic cavity. Sedation and local anesthesia are provided to remove any discomfort that you might experience. The eggs are removed from ovaries using the hollow needle, which is called follicular aspiration.

The embryos are usually transferred into your uterus anywhere between one to six days, but most commonly it occurs between two to three days following egg retrieval. At this point, the fertilized egg has divided to become a 2-to-4 cell embryo. The transfer process involves a speculum which is inserted into the vagina to expose the cervix. A predetermined number of embryos are suspended in fluid and gently placed through a catheter into the womb.

It is also important to realize that pregnancy rates do not equate to live birth rates. In the United States, the live birth rate for each IVF cycle started is approximately:

* 30 to 35% for women under age 35
* 25% for women ages 35 to 37
* 15 to 20% for women ages 38 to 40
* 6 to 10% for women ages over 40

Even under ideal conditions (multiple eggs and multiple embryos), the success rate for healthy young women is 30 to 35%?

Risks And Side Effects:

* Severe abdominal pain
* Severe nausea or vomitting
* Decreased urinary frequency
* Dark colored urine
* Shortness of breath
* 10 pound weight gain within 3 to 5 days

Will Kentucky State Rep. Napier explain to these couples why he wants them to go through this procedure for each and every egg? I doubt it.

From WebMD...

It has been said in the medical literature that transferring four embryos per IVF cycle will yield optimal results.

What Price Pregnancy?

IVF is a complex and expensive procedure; only about 5% of couples with infertility seek it out. However, since its introduction in the U.S. in 1981, IVF and other similar techniques have resulted in more than 200,000 babies.

The average cost of an IVF cycle in the U.S. is $12,400, according to the American Society of Reproductive Medicine.

Although some states have enacted laws requiring insurance companies to cover at least some of the costs of infertility treatment, many states haven't.

Also be aware that some carriers will pay for infertility drugs and monitoring, but not for the cost of IVF or other artificial reproductive technology.

Because it's inconceivable (no pun intended) to me that In Vitro specialists would have lobbied Rep. Napier to introduce this law (Who wants to brag about a next-to-zero success rate?), my money is on the fascist fundies in Napier's district, who believe strongly in the science (for themselves and their loved ones) but think GAWD only wants one egg manipulated at a time.

Considering the track record of twisted fundie logic, this is the only rationale for such a law I can imagine.

Meet Rep. Lonnie Napier (R, Of Course)

Representative Lonnie Napier (R)
House District - 36
Garrard
Madison
Address

302 Danville Street
Lancaster, KY 40444
(Office) - 859-792-2535
(Home) - 859-792-4860
Frankfort Office - Capitol Annex, Room 405E, Frankfort, KY 40601
Frankfort Phone - 502-564-8100, ext. 649
E-mail - lonnie.napier@lrc.ky.gov

Service - House 1985 - Present

Born May 24, 1940. Auctioneer, Realtor, Farmer. Church of God. Ky Army National Guard. Garrard Co Chamber of Commerce, past President. Ky Auctioneers Assoc. Dix River Board of Realtors. Ky/National Auctioneers Assoc. Garrard Co Beef Cattle Fair Board. Ky Assoc of Realtors. National Rifle Assoc. Garrard Co Businessman of the Year 1983. Ky Reserve Champion Auctioneer 1982-83. Garrard Co Fiscal Court, past Member.

Yes, Napier is a God & Guns Republican.

No, he's not a doctor.

Yes, he's decided he knows what's best for you.

I hope you can afford $12,400 per procedure.

Hm. Makes me wonder if Napier prefers that you just buy a baby.

I'll bet he knows a guy.

THUS ENDETH TODAY'S SERMON.

Go forth and reproduce somewhere other than Kentucky...

While you still can.

I mean it, damn it!