#UnMaskingIVF

Not long after the first IVF in 1978 entrepreneurial doctors and the pharmaceutical industry aligned to create a lucrative multi-billion dollar industry based on selling hope to a vulnerable population eager to create families. From the earliest days well-funded marketing strategies, poorly researched news stories and general ignorance about fertility helped position IVF as one of mankind’s greatest medical breakthroughs; which it is – but only to a degree. The lack of an organized constituency and no rigorous oversight also means longitudinal health studies and consumer protections don't exist. As we approach the 40th anniversary we'd like to unmask IVF (and the more recent elective egg freezing, which requires IVF) to help future generations understand the associated risks and costs.

Once Untold Stories

For nearly 50 years there’s been disproportionate emphasis on IVF success stories. However, there are many important stories from those who came away from fertility treatments with a different outcome.

IVF Survivor Stories

Studies

Health research on assisted reproductive technologies, particularly longitudinal studies post-IVF, have never been mandated or prioritized. Procedures lacking in evidence-based science are routinely developed and sold.

LEARN MORE

Independence

Our advisory board members never received funding from industry insiders or clinic operators, which leads to independent perspective.

Beyond Marketing Hype

Investigative reporting into clinic business practices and questionable claims

In recent years, a broad-based coalition has emerged to apply new scrutiny to slickly packaged clinic narratives.  Patient-consumers, industry critics, concerned scientists and bioethicists are among those who have stepped forward to raise questions about unsettling IVF experiences and clinic practices.

As dark side of IVF comes into focus, more transparency is needed, STAT July 27, 2018

REVEAL Podcast, June 3, 2017

Transcript here | Misconceptions

ABC The Baby Business, May 31, 2016

Your Stories

We encourage you to share your stories. They’re a powerful resource that can help individuals and policy makers make more informed decisions in the future about ReproTech and provide a window into what’s taking place in clinics. If you have a story to tell, we hope you find a compassionate health reporter or researcher who can investigate further.

Related Stories

We also know the emotional burden of failed treatment and the  complex experience of parenthood loss. You can hear the challenging personal-socio-cultural dynamic discussed here in this roundtable:

ReproTech Patients Unplugged

Expert Say

Courageous physicians, scientists, bioethicists, neonatologists, public and mental health experts, educators and others who have studied ReproTech have been united in their call for more transparency, accountability and a commitment to women and infant safety and well being over profit taking.

“Better information is unlikely to deter many women, but they are entitled to know the risks before starting fertility treatment.”

Dr. Susan Bewley
Professor,Complex Obstetrics,KINGS College BMJ Award Winner ‘Speaking truth to power’
BMJ: Adverse outcomes from IVF

“The market is the wrong model for the fertility industry. It should be regulated like other medical procedures that have both benefits and risks, with the goal of minimizing the risks.”

George Annas
Boston University Professor, School of Public Health
POV: It’s Time to Regulate the Fertility Industry

“As demand for young women’s eggs increases, it is imperative that we at last resolve to collect the much-needed data about safety that would allow young women to make informed choices.”

Judy Norsigian
Co-founder, Our bodies Ourselves
The Ethics and Safety of Egg Donation

“We owe it to all subfertile couples and their potential children to use IVF judiciously and to ensure that we are first doing no harm.”

Dr. Esme Kamphuis
gynecology/obstetrics
BMJ: Are We Overusing IVF?

Our Team

An international group of former patients, journalists, writers and concerned consumers have long been committed to bringing new transparency and accountability to the ReproTech industry. We’ve all been (and remain) passionate about improving education and acknowledge the deeply emotional impact of this topic.

Pamela Mahoney Tsigdinos

Co-founder

Award-winning author of Silent Sorority; Named Top Health Blogger by Time Inc’s Health Magazine.


Silent Sorority

Miriam Zoll

Co-founder

Award-winning writer, international health and human rights advocate and educator and author of Cracked Open


Questioning the Cult of ReproTech

Julia Leigh

Former Advisory Board Member

Award-winning novelist, film director, screenwriter and author of Avalanche: A Love Story


Avalanche: A Map for the Journey of IVF

Jack Wilkinson

Former Advisory Board Member

Applied Medical Statistician. NIHR Doctoral Research Fellow; Statistical Editor for Cochrane Gynaecology and Fertility. IVF Researcher.


Study Conclusion: IVF Success Rates ‘Misleading’

Jonathan Richard Jones

Former Advisory Board Member

An investigative reporter and producer based in San Francisco. Much of his work has focused on business, health and human rights.


Center for Investigative Research

Jessica Hepburn

Former Advisory Board Member

One of the UK’s leading patient voices on fertility, infertility and assisted conception. Passionate about improving information, perspective and emotional support.


Author / Arts Producer

Since 1978

20M+ Failed IVFs

458 U.S. Clinics

Per the CDC

$25.7B Market Size Value

As of January 2022