Birth of IVF baby to 62 year old mother causes controversy

Jul 9 2006

The birth of a baby boy to a 62 year old mother following IVF treatment from Italian fertility expert Professor Severino Antinorihas has caused controversy in the UK.

Patti Rashbrook, a child psychiatrist, gave birth to a son at her local Sussex hospital after receiving IVF treatment abroad as the law in Britain meant the procedure was not available for her in the UK.

Patti Farrant who gave birth last week will be in her 80s when the the boy reaches the age of 18.

British Health secretary Patricia Hewitt has accused critics of Rashbrook of gender hypocrisy as men have always been able to father children into their 60s and 70s, and says such decisions should be a matter for the individual women and doctors concerned.

However fertility experts are demanding an end to the practice of elderly women receiving IVF treatment as they may not live long enough to see their children grow up.

Ethical reproduction campaigners have accused Rashbrook of being selfish and irresponsible and suggest the egg donated to Rashbrook, who has three adult children may have been obtained through the exploitation of poor eastern European women.

Rashbrook, who has three adult children had made four unsuccessful attempts to become pregnant, a process that cost £10,000.

John Farrant, 60, is her second husband and he has no children and it is believed the couple have sold their story to a British newspaper for a large amount of money.

Rashbrook has said they are overjoyed and insists no advantage was taken of poor women.

Farrant, who works as a higher education management consultant says they have received hundreds of goodwill messages.

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