Fertility specialists reject calls for greater regulation of IVF industry, saying Australia is world leader.

By Emily Bourke

Fertility specialists have knocked back calls for more regulation of the IVF industry, saying Australia is an international leader in infertility research and treatment governed by a code of practice that is the envy of the world.

The business of baby-making through IVF technology is a thriving industry.

But there is concern couples who are turning to fertility treatment are not fully aware of the risks and reality of what IVF can deliver.

Louise Johnson from the Victorian Assisted Reproductive Technology Authority said there were gaps in industry regulation as well as public understanding.

“Men and women underestimate by about ten years when fertility starts to decline, and on many clinic websites there’s information about the chance of becoming pregnant, or pregnancy rates per embryo transfer, but that doesn’t tell them their chance of taking home a baby in their own circumstances,” Ms Johnson said.

She said ideally the industry should come up with a “gold standard” to present information clearly and consistently so that prospective patients can better understand their chances of taking home a baby.

But Dr David Molloy, Chair of the Heads of IVF Units of Australia, described IVF as an “Australian export success” and a key part of that was regulation.

“We were the first medical specialty group to self regulate,” Dr Molloy said.

“We have a code of practice. If we don’t stick to that code of practice we’re closed down.

“On top of that we’ve got another layer of regulation in and nearly all the states in Australia have got regulations, state laws that govern the practice of IVF,” he said.

The demand for IVF is consumer driven, but health law expert Sonia Allan from Macquarie University said there needed to be greater oversight of the sector.

“I think there are ethical issues surrounding the unlimited amount of public funding that is being put towards some of these treatments,” Ms Allan said.

“And probably perverse incentives for doctors to continue with these treatments because of the increased money that can be made, particularly when the industry has become so commercialised.”

IVF ‘not a silver bullet’.

Ms Johnson said it was important for clinicians to have a realistic conversation with their patients about the chances of success.

“IVF has been a game changer for women with tubal infertility in particular, and also for male infertility, but it’s not a silver bullet for age-related infertility,” Ms Johnson said.

“There is hope and there is optimism around the chances of having a baby, and if doctors talk about the percentage of a chance of having a baby when you’re in your 40s, I think many people would like to think that they’ll be one of the lucky ones.

“But unfortunately, that’s not always the case.”

Dr Molloy said the industry spent “a fortune” on educating the public about the chances for success.

“The smartest thing you can do is have your pregnancies in your 30s. IVF is not the parachute, the safety net you need in your 40s.”

But Dr Molloy said it was appropriate to be selling “limited hope” to prospective parents, and it was difficult for doctors to refuse or discontinue fertility treatment.

“If you had a recent pregnancy and also you’ve had a recent success it’s hard to.

“I had a 43-year-old patient go through the program and you know, her prospect of delivering a baby is under 10 per cent.

“But every year you get several 43 year olds pregnant. It’s hard to let go of that hope yourself.”

This post originally appeared on ABC News.