Are Embryos/ Gametes the Most Intelligent Cells?- Dr Sanketh Dhumal Satya
Human gametes like sperm and oocyte are produced to perform their functions inside the body. The oocyte is made in the same organism and will remain in the same environment. In contrast, the sperm are produced in a different environment but must perform elsewhere where it has to pass a highly dynamic road to reach the destination. This process is known as fertilization and remains the basis of our origin.
Are human gametes or embryos meant to manipulate outside the human body, i.e. in Invitro conditions?
The dawn of IVF over four decades ago was one of the most significant discoveries that enabled humans to treat a man. It can be considered one of the highest technological advances sapiens has achieved. It is more important than landing on the moon/mars because it is absolutely fine if you don't end up there, but addressing the human issue that helps them procreate is more critical than the "Space Missions."
That's why I call it the most crucial landmark discovery that sapiens have achieved.
Currently, the number of children born globally through IVF technology surpasses the population of many European countries like Sweden, Greece and Portugal.
Anyways coming to the main point are, these gametes and embryos meant to expose to the invitro conditions like plastic, glass, synthetic buffers, artificial light, needles, and gases pumped through cylinders, and exposure to enzymes and molecules like PVP and cryoprotectants, and liquid nitrogen and also exposure to excessive hormones and during their initial journey.
No millions of years of Evolution did not produce them to face this, but eventually, they are facing the atmosphere in which they were not destined. We cannot blame IVF, ICSI, Cryopreservation, Embryo Biopsy and the Invitro culture. The question is about something other than whether IVF is wrong or right. It's about how the gametes and embryos adapted to this new environment and how they can still adjust to these harsh things they had no memory of earlier.
Sperm, oocytes and embryo are among the most highly intelligent cells on Earth.
Either invivo or invitro, they know how to adapt to the surroundings and how to extract the best. It cannot be wrong to praise them that they are superior to human technology.
"We facilitate their journey by mimicking mother nature."
How they can withstand all these changes and yet result in a healthy baby is nothing less than a miracle.
The plasticity of these tiny beings is astonishing. It occasionally surprises fertility specialists like they have seen failures with the best embryos and suitable conditions for their further journey. On the contrary, there are stories of below-average embryos turning into tiny sacs with cardiac activity.
What we know is just the "tip of the iceberg."
It's relatively easier to say that IVF babies have some specific genetic changes or altered DNA methylation patterns, but what about the effects of pollution and radiation? There is a plethora of data on how environmental toxins, stress, diet, nutrition, and pollutants like certain chemicals and pesticides leave trans-generational marks.
So rather than blame praise and avail the technology.
Nowadays, having a baby is a CHOICE influenced by many factors. IVF ultimately enabled the species:
-to have an increased chance of pregnancy for those who have infertility.
-to undergo genetic testing of embryos and prevent faulty gene transmission.
-control over the timing of conception.
Above all, it successfully delivers a little bundle of joy to those who lost hope at a certain point.
Thanks to this, Intelligent cells teach us a new way of life.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are of the author and not of Medical Dialogues. The Editorial/Content team of Medical Dialogues has not contributed to the writing/editing/packaging of this article.
