Do not underestimate the pitfalls of IVF

This letter was sent to Voices@TODAY but was not published.

As a Christian, I trust the authority given to our government to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right (“Why Singapore needs stronger safeguards against rise of religious and identity politics”, 2 August).

My faith compels me to treat everyone with respect. Our identity is not based on nationality, race or religion. If it is, harmony would be a shallow concept.

All humans are created equal but not all ideas are equal.

As a responsible citizen, I would evaluate existing policies and suggestions by political leaders with research, critical thinking and group discussions. 

Take for example the recent suggestion by the women’s wing of the ruling People’s Action Party that the age restriction of 45 years imposed on women who can turn to in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) to conceive should be scrapped (“PAP Women’s Wing calls for removal of age limit on IVF treatment”; 30 July).

There is no right to a child, whether to the couple who cannot afford IVF even with increased subsidies or to one who can afford it.

A child is a gift of life, not an economic good to be disposed of through abortion or to be wanted at all costs through IVF.

Science informs us that human life begins at conception. Just as abortion kills a life, IVF creates surplus embryos and subject many to wastage.

Currently, there is low awareness of increased risks of birth defects, complications during pregnancy, births associated with delayed childbearing, or the health risks and the long-term impact of IVF on both mother and child. I personally know of relatives and friends who suffered physiological, psychosocial and financial trauma through IVF, all these with no baby to bring home.

In 2013, over half of the 9,282 abortions were done on married women. What is being done to address the underlying factors that drive the highest abortion rate among married couples? These are children already conceived in the womb. How can we murmur against a low total fertility rate when we do not treasure what we have?

The sanctity of life ought to be respected and modelled to our future generations as seen in the high suicide rate among our male teens (“Male teen suicides in 2018 hit27-year high: SOS”; 29 July). Our children are watching us.