Friday Finding 9/13

Ugh, I know! I started a new themed post and then promptly neglected to do it for a couple of weeks. Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it, there doesn't seem to be that many interesting news stories anyway.

Test-Tube Babies: A Simpler, Cheaper Technique?

A new cheaper method of IVF has been created which could only cost couples only $265! It's designed for developing countries but I can't imagine once it gets approved they wouldn't offer it here as well. They are able to reduce the cost by using cheaper, generic, oral fertility drugs, doing no screening or ICSI, and foregoing the expensive incubator for two test tubes and a heating block. The article says this new method could help about half of infertile couples. Unfortunately those with severe MFI or "very few eggs left" (and I'm assuming poor responders) would not be good candidates for this procedure. I'm a little skeptical of the price though, since they still have to do the retrieval and transfer and I can't imagine those being done for like $100 each.