Sir, - Ms Holmquist's article (June 8th) does a grave disservice to those seeking and providing infertility treatment in Ireland. Her article contains a number of inaccuracies regarding the range of infertility services available here. Certainly, easier access to treatment and better funding would be most welcome but, contrary to the impression given in the article, a wide range of infertility services has been provided in this country, prior to the arrival of the Bourne Hall Unit in Clane.
The vast majority of couples with fertility problems are looked after in a number of clinics throughout the country, outside of the three IVF units. Stimulation of ovulation and intra-uterine-insemination is successfully carried out in many of these units. In other instances tubal and ovarian problems may be corrected through surgery, while medication may help in controlling conditions such as endometriosis or hormonal imbalances. Where a problem exists on the male side a range of measures are employed to facilitate the production and vitality of sperm.
It is when these approaches are unsuccessful, or are considered inappropriate, that couples are referred to one of the units now offering the more complex assisted reproduction services, such as IVF. While these specialised units have an essential complimentary role, the vast majority of couples are treated wholly, or partly, elsewhere.
While Ms Holmquist is correct in stating that the option of donor eggs is not available in the Republic, treatment with donor sperm has been available for a number of years. However, with the introduction of the ICSI (Intra-cytoplasmic Sperm Injection) technique here in 1996, whereby eggs are directly injected with a single sperm, and more recently the option of retrieving sperm directly from the testes, fewer couples need to consider the option of using donor sperm. This is further helped by the welcome introduction in 1998, at the Rotunda Hospital, of the facility for men embarking on treatment for cancer, to store sperm for possible use in the future. - Yours, etc., Helen Spillane,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.