Lisääntymisteknologian

Lisääntymisteknologia, often referred to as assisted reproductive technology (ART) in English, encompasses a range of medical procedures designed to help individuals and couples overcome infertility and achieve pregnancy. These technologies have revolutionized reproductive medicine, offering hope to many who previously had limited options.

The most common and widely known form of lisääntymisteknologia is in vitro fertilization (IVF). In IVF, eggs are retrieved from a woman's ovaries and fertilized by sperm in a laboratory setting. The resulting embryo is then transferred to the woman's uterus with the hope of establishing a pregnancy. Other ART procedures include intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), where a single sperm is injected directly into an egg, and gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) and zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT), which involve placing eggs and sperm or fertilized eggs into the fallopian tubes.

Lisääntymisteknologia also includes services like ovulation induction, which uses medication to stimulate the ovaries to produce eggs, and sperm banking, where sperm can be collected and stored for future use. These technologies are utilized for various reasons, including low sperm count, ovulation disorders, endometriosis, blocked fallopian tubes, and unexplained infertility. Ethical considerations and accessibility remain important aspects of discussions surrounding lisääntymisteknologia.