[Epoch Times, Medi 22, 2022]Children born from frozen embryos may be more likely to develop cancer, according to a new study, because of chemicals used in the thawing process that could cause genetic changes, and genetic changes are a factor in cancer . .
The findings, published September 1 in the peer-reviewed journal PLOS Medicine, add to the spotlight on the technology. The findings are based on a study of almost 8 million young people in Scandinavia. The title of the paper is “Cancer in Children Born After Implantation of Frozen-Thaw Embryos.”
Co-author Professor Ulla-Britt Wennerholm from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, said: “A large study from the Nordic countries found that children born with frozen-thawed embryo transfer are at higher risk of cancer. “
The most common forms of the disease are leukemia, and diseases that affect the central nervous system. The study found no increased cancer risk associated with artificial insemination (IVF) or other forms of assisted reproductive technology (ART), with the risk only present in frozen embryos.
Assisted reproductive technology produces embryos in the laboratory from human eggs and sperm. Doctors usually transfer the embryos into the womb immediately. Worldwide, however, the practice of freezing and thawing before implantation is increasing.
Previous studies have found that children from frozen embryos may face increased health risks in the short term. But the status of long-term health problems has been unclear.
The Swedish team analyzed medical data from Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, tracking 171,744 children conceived with assisted reproductive technology and 7,772,474 children born through natural conception. In the first group, 22,630 were born after a freeze-thaw transplant. Statistical analysis shows that this group of people is more likely to develop cancer.
The study found that children with frozen embryos were 2.5 times more likely to develop cancer than children who conceived naturally. Winnerholm said further research is needed to confirm the possible link between frozen embryos and an increased risk of cancer and to identify the underlying biological mechanisms.
He added: “While the risk (frozen embryos) is not high for the individual, at a general population level, frozen embryos may still have some impact due to the increased great in the frequency of their use. No increase in cancer was found in children born through artificial insemination.” ◇
Responsible editor: Ye Ziwei
