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Mary Richards, KSL Newsradio Eric and Diane Jergensen play with their 18-month-old daughter, Anastine. She came to them through In Vitro Fertilization. It hasn't come without criticism
Eric Jergensen: "Bonnie Erbe said in an article that it was selfish for people who didn't have children to use IVF."
They put in adoption papers. They were told they were too old. They went to Dr. Matthew Peterson at the Utah Center for Reproductive Medicine.
Dr. Matthew Peterson: "Things have changed dramatically, and it's a way for people who otherwise would not have the opportunity to have their own biological children. From my biased standpoint, we think it's a good thing."
Gayle Ruzicka, Director of the Utah Eagle Forum: "You can't play God."
Gayle Ruzicka is with the Utah Eagle Forum, a pro-life, pro-family organization. She's not against fertility treatments to get pregnant, but she has ethical concerns.
Gayle Ruzicka: "As far as families making this choice, as far as they aren't killing, that's fine."
Ruzicka is also worried embryos could end up being used for scientific research.
Gayle Ruzicka: "I don't believe we should discard leftover babies. That's horrible."
But Dr. Peterson says there aren't that many "leftover babies" or embryos out there. Couples who create more than they implant at one time can chose to freeze some.
Dr. Peterson: "For our program there's not a lot of embryos left over. We have stored embryos but for the most part patients are planning to use those embryos."
Dr. Peterson: "About 60 percent of embryos that are frozen and thawed have a chance to become a transferred embryo."
The Jergensens had no viable embryos left to freeze. But they say they signed papers detailing every possible scenario and question.
Eric Jergensen: "I have absolutely no qualms about the morality and ethical nature of In Vitro Fertilization."
Dr. Peterson says his ethical concerns are with insurance companies who refuse to cover infertility treatments as a necessary medical procedure. Because it's not covered, he says couples feel forced to create then implant more embryos in the hopes of getting pregnant in one shot. That leads to high-risk pregnancies.
Dr. Peterson: "We would hope that in this state where families and children are valued so highly, and it's a managed care issue, that managed care would get on top of managing it."
Ruzicka says government should not step in to force insurance companies. If a couple feels like implanting several embryos at once, that's their choice.
Gayle Ruzicka: "If only one baby takes and the other two don't, God's in charge there."
And as for the question of playing God and creating life?
Eric Jergensen: "There's no question to me that this is about creating life and isn't it wonderful."
By the way, the Jergensens are expecting another baby, through In Vitro this spring.
