Health policy in vitro still a ‘no-no’

Private hospitals and clinics will be allowed to conduct artificial insemination to treat infertility, but are still prohibited from conducting in vitro fertilisation (IVF), a top health official has clarified.

Dr Odeh Ahmad Odeh, Acting Director of Facility Control and Quality Assurance Unit at the Department of Health and Medical Services (Dohms) said artificial insemination is allowed in private hospitals from this month.

However, he said the ban on IVF, which is in place since 2005, cannot be lifted as it remains an ethical issue.

"An error while conducting IVF can lead to a mix-up of ancestry. It can be a mistake or it can be intentional, either way it is a huge risk."

An error while conducting IVF can lead to a mix-up of ancestry. It can be a mistake or it can be intentional, either way it is a huge risk. Dr Odeh Ahmad Odeh, Acting Director of Facility Control and Quality Assurance Unit at the Department of Health and Medical Services

In IVF treatment, sperm cells are injected into the egg outside the uterus and, after fertilisation, the embryo is planted in the womb. If a wrong set of egg or sperm cells is used, "the error can result in the mixing up of genes" said Odeh.

"For IVF, you have to be very honest. We cannot rule out the possibility that some private practitioners may intentionally cause an error to ensure good pregnancy rates. They can look at it as lucrative business."

He said IVF is a sensitive issue especially since Dubai is a multicultural, multinational and multi-religious country.

"In some countries, it is acceptable to use sperm other than the husband’s for IVF. But this is not acceptable here," Odeh said.