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for the Reproductive Biologists
Professional Group. Membership in the RBPG is free for ASRM Members.
If you'd like to become a member of the RBPG, tell
us.
The Reproductive Biologists Professional Group (RBPG) promotes study and supports research in reproductive biology while providing a forum for scientists and clinicians to exchange ideas.
Officers:
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Chair - Mitchel C. Schiewe, Ph.D
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Vice-Chair – Barry Behr, Ph.D
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Secretary - Sangita K. Jindal, Ph.D
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Program Chair - Amy Sparks, Ph.D
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Nominating Committee Chair - Diane Wright, Ph.D
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Website Coordinator - Fred Miller, M.S.
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SART Representative - David Wininger, Ph.D.
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Bylaws Committee Chair - Michael Vernon, Ph.D.
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Abstract Review Committee Chair – Barry Behr, PhD.
Of Interest to Members
Some items below are in Adobe® Acrobat® PDF format. Please click here for downloading information.
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Message from the RBPG Chair - Mitchel C. Schiewe, Ph.D.
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RBPG Bylaws (PDF) - updated 02/16/09
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I've Been to the Other Side... - Grace Centrola, PhD
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Are You SURE Your Testing of Oocyte Donors Meets the FDA Requirements?
Message from the Chair
In the midst of a financial free fall, in hope for change with a newly elected President and among the local Proposition 8 protestors in the streets of San Francisco, the 2008 ASRM Conference was a “smash success”. With record attendance, up 20%, it was a good year for reproductive biologists, highlighted by a newly elected colleague on the ASRM Board, Secretary Catherine Racowsky, and two active pioneers of reproductive biology as keynote speakers: Drs. Alan Trounson and David E. Wildt. Cheers to Alan, leaving the good life down under for a golden life in sunny California. Alan did his best Santa Claus impression by offering multi-million dollar gifts of stem cell research funding, promoting collaborative clinical/industry applications. Meanwhile, my ex-mentor Dave, captivated the audience with his discussion of basic ART success with “Lions, Tigers and Pandas, Oh My! The Importance of Genetic Management and ART in Species Preservation”.
Other highlights of SF, besides the fabulous weather and restaurants, are specifically discussed below.
Reproductive biologists ended the 2008 strong, but prepare for a rocky ride ahead; at least that is the forecast. Our nation faces a financial crisis unseen by our generation. In the past, ART has been a relatively recession proof industry, as having a family is given a high priority in a patient’s life. However, these are different times, so it is safe to assume we will all be tightening our belts a bit in the months ahead. We hope everyone finds a way to keep their costs down, pregnancies up and patients and medical director’s happy, so we can all afford to gather again in Atlanta. See you all next Fall!
Mitchel C. Schiewe, PhD, HCLD
“Hot Air” from the RBPG Chairs - Current and Past:
Thanks to the recent fiasco in Southern California, birth of octuplets by IVF, our nation is up-in-arms bringing unwanted criticism to the field of reproductive medicine. Although physicians and embryologists in the USA are in favor of elective, self-regulation suggested by SART guidelines, as opposed to mandatory regulations on the number of embryos transferred per age group enforced in European countries, it appears we must now implement stricter policies! Do the state and federal legislative bodies have to mandate us? Perhaps instead, should they establish a medical malpractice policy in terms of how many embryos can be transferred based on a patients age and history? Or, perhaps they should regulate the type of unethical/potentially false advertising practices that are utilized to lure infertility patients into their practice? The Sulemann octuplet story has stimulated the public and our profession to address many key aspects of infertility patient management from psychiatric screening of the patient (i.e., state of mind?) to the accuracy in assessing recent fertility potential, to the role of an embryologist. One doctor in Southern California, during an interview, actually blamed the embryologist for thawing and transferring sex embryos into a 33 year old with four previous IVF full-term pregnancies (six babies). Seriously???The RBPG, on the whole, takes exception to the belief that the embryologist actually has the final word in the number of embryos that are ultimately placed into a transfer catheter. With few exceptions, embryologists in the United States work under the guidance of physicians, who are paid by the patients to make responsible decisions that hopefully conform to the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technologies (SART). At best, it is the job of embryologist to inform the patient and physician as to cycle outcomes, more specifically the stage and quality of embryo development, and recommend a number of embryos to transfer that conforms to SART guidelines (e.g., one or two embryos for patients ≤34 year old or derived from donor eggs), while minimizing a patients’ risk of having high order multiple births (≥3 babies /pregnancy). The latter especially applies to a patient who is morally, ethically and/or religiously opposed to selective reduction procedures during pregnancy. Most clinics have an informed worksheet or consent that patient’s sign at the time of embryo transfer that indicates the number of embryos that will be transferred, and a justification by the physician, if any, why recommended guidelines may have been exceeded. In doing so, such an informed embryo transfer consent should clearly indicate the SART guidelines by age groups and the developmental stage of the embryo and an acknowledgement by the patient that they are aware of, and understand, the guidelines.
In short, it is unlikely that an embryologist, or societal pressures alone, can ultimately control the unethical and irresponsible actions of a physician struggling to achieve acceptable pregnancy rates in his/her clinic. The RBPG and its sister organization, the Reproductive Laboratory Technologists Professional Group, will stand united with SART and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine to work toward more rigorous compliance of the SART guidelines. This watchdog approach should include, but not necessarily limited to, revoking membership from those who do not follow guidelines. In the meantime, United States embryologists should take a more active role in limiting the number of embryos transferred, especially when physicians or patients suggest transferring more than four embryos.
Mitchel C. Schiewe, PhD (2008, 2009)
Karen Elkind-Hirsch, PhD (2007)
William Boone, PhD (2006)
for the Reproductive Biologists Professional
Group. Membership in the RBPG is free for ASRM Members.
If you'd like to become a member of the RBPG, tell
us.
RBPG Project Coordinator
American Society for Reproductive Medicine
1209 Montgomery Highway
Birmingham, Alabama 35216-2809
(205) 978-5000
Email: asrm@asrm.org
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