Georgia: Dodging a Bullet (Today Only)

We dodged a bullet here in Georgia today.  The nasty Senate bill that would have severely restricted infertility treatments as we know it is being sent to a subcommittee for more “research.”  Before you breathe a sigh of relief, these terms are just a euphemism that they just weren’t ready to go ahead and pass it today.  They want to “think” about it a little more, perhaps so they can better counteract the many objections brought up in the room (Thanks to everyone who attended today!).  Most of the Senators don’t really care to “research” this issue anymore.  And they won’t if left to their own accord.  Yes, they might read it over a few more times and make a few minor wording changes.  But don’t kid yourself--they aren’t going to be calling us who work in infertility or who have dealt with infertility first-hand for our comments and advice.  As you can see, this proposed bill is far from dead.

 

What are we to do?  We need to know that many of these proposed legislations aimed at restricting infertility treatments are actually a part of a larger political agenda to establish embryos as people and paving the way to overturn Roe v. Wade (see the Slate article at the bottom of this post).  Don’t underestimate these politicians’ power to manipulate facts to support their case.  They thrive on confusing the public with connecting routine infertility treatments with sensationalized stories of the Octomom, unethical doctors, cloning, designing “perfect” babies, and selling gametes.  It’s all over the media.  You can’t even go a day now without seeing something horrific about infertility on your favorite TV show.

 

As a professional public health educator, I can attest to the fact that we also need to do a much better job at educating the public about infertility.  The truth of the matter is that the vast majority of people out there don’t think like we do.  Given the current climate, people really don’t understand what infertility is and assume that it is just a “fringe” behavior that “normal” people don’t need to do.  Infertility is not seen as a disease or medical disorder, but rather an optional social issue, much like having plastic surgery or getting hair extensions to improve your appearance.  While it may be nice, it’s not completely necessary.  You really don’t have to choose to do it. 

 

IVF has been around for more than 30 years.  People are no longer awe-struck with the incredible new technologies we have developed in recent years in order to help people become parents.  We are not bright, shiny, and new anymore.  People are over that.  We are entering a new developmental phase…that of an awkward adolescent.  We are being scrutinized, and all our flaws are now highlighted.  People are pointing fingers, laughing at us, and whispering behind our backs.  We need to rethink our place in the world.  We need to gather ourselves up and find our one true voice.  No matter what others think or say about us, we need to convey one clear and consistent message that emphasizes our confidence, maturity, and experience. 

 

One reason that it is so easy to pick on infertility is that we are seen as the Achilles heal or the weakest link when it comes to reproductive health.   We are seen as highly competitive, a little arrogant, and not at all cohesive.  The only way we can combat all of these inaccurate ideas and assumptions about infertility is for us to all work together—clinics, non-profits, pharma companies, patients, EVERYONE!—for the common good.  After all, why are we even doing what we are doing?  Is it to find a “cure” for infertility?  Is it to increase access to appropriate fertility care?  Is it to better the lives of those experiencing infertility?  We need to re-package ourselves and appeal to the general public’s need to see as the unequivocal “good guys,” instead of those unregulated cowboys who are only interested in testing the limits of nature or trying to be God. 

 

While this bill will most certainly come up again, we do have a second chance.  We have another opportunity to figure out a better action plan.  And this involves more than just a myriad of press releases and email blasts stating that this organization or that organization opposes such legislation.  That is a given.  Everyone (including the legislators) knows that we in the fertility field oppose this legislation.  Instead, we need to find a way to break through all the negativity, and let people see us for who we are—ethical, hard-working professionals and patients who really want to help families appropriately treat their disease of infertility and achieve one the strongest and most basic needs people have—to procreate and see our children live on after we are gone. 

 

I know this is a lofty goal, but this has been done before in other areas of medicine.  Medical issues such as HIV, breast cancer, and depression were all once seen in very negative lights.  Today, they are embraced as health topics we should all know about and actively support.  Without a doubt, we can do the same thing for fertility and infertility.  However, our time is running out.  We made it through today.  But if we don’t find a better way, next time (and their will most definitely be a next time), we might not be so lucky. 

Comments

[Sharon LaMothe]

Thank you, Evelina, for your clear and concise overview of when on in Atlanta yesterday! I agree that we "reacted" rather then taking the opportunity to be "pro-active". And this was coming...but I think that our heads were turned (at least mine was) and watching how CA was going to handle the octuplet case. I think that some are sitting out there thinking that these 'bills in other' states are not going to affect them but it will....right down to the small egg donation or surrogacy agency.

[Vasectomy Reversal California]

Thanks, The post is very informative.

Jane