Citric acid makes in vitro cheaper
Doctors in Belgium have developed a new, low-cost way to make test-tube babies for poorer countries.
The process for developing countries costs around 200 euros ($260) per treatment, according to Reuters, and results were not much different than westernized in-vitro fertilIzation (IVF).
Since the first test tube baby in 1978, nearly 5 million babies have been born through IVF. However, the process is extremely pricey, and has been kept only in developed countries because of that.According to BBC, high levels of carbon dioxide are need when growing embryos in an IVF clinic. The levels are typically maintained by using carbon dioxide incubators, medical grad gas and air purification.
In this case, researchers at the Genk Institute for Fertility Technology mixed inexpensive citric acid, and bicarbonate of soda to produce carbon dioxide.
Elke Klerkx from the Genk Institute said, "Our initial results are proof of principle that a simplified culture system designed for developing countries can offer affordable and successful opportunities for infertility treatment where IVF is the only solution.
"This is a major step towards universal fertility care," she added.
The results showed a pregnancy rate of 30 percent, Reuters wrote, about the same as regular IVF.
Of course, the technique isn't for everyone. It cannot help men with severe infertility issues.
Still, the team said it will begin researching the technique in poorer nations to try and bring some form of IVF to everyone.
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