Infertility, Abortion, and Biotechnology : When It's Not Nice to Fool Mother Nature

Overview

Journal Hum Nat

Specialties Psychology
Social Sciences

Date 2013 Nov 14

PMID 24222021

Citations 4

Authors

S K Wasser

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Patterns of reproductive failure described in humans and other mammals suggest that reproductive failure may in many instances be the result of adaptations evolved to suppress reproduction under temporarily harsh conditions. By suppressing reproduction under such conditions, females are able to conserve their time and energy for reproductive opportunities in which reproduction is most likely to succeed. Such adaptations have been particularly important for female mammals, given (a) the amount of time and energy that reproduction requires, and (b) the degree to which reproductive conditions can vary.The existence of conscious and unconscious mechanisms to suppress reproduction under poor conditions has several implications for obstetric/gynecologic practices. Two implications are discussed with reference to biotechnological advancements in our ability to facilitate conceptions and manage problem pregnancies: (a) potential dangers of sophisticated technologies overriding natural fertility controls; and (b) the need for greater appreciation of the association between psychosocial stress and reproductive failure in the treatment of reproductive problems. Implications for elective abortion practices are discussed as well.

Citing Articles

Anorexia: A "losing" strategy?.

Mealey L Hum Nat. 2015; 11(1):105-16.

PMID: 26193098 DOI: 10.1007/s12110-000-1005-3.

An evolutionary perspective on the patterning of maternal investment in pregnancy.

Peacock N Hum Nat. 2013; 2(4):351-85.

PMID: 24222340 DOI: 10.1007/BF02692197.

Anorexia nervosa : Levels of causation.

Condit V Hum Nat. 2013; 1(4):391-413.

PMID: 24222176 DOI: 10.1007/BF02734052.

Psychosocial stress and infertility : Cause or effect?.

Wasser S Hum Nat. 2013; 5(3):293-306.

PMID: 24214628 DOI: 10.1007/BF02692156.

References

Bongaarts J . Does malnutrition affect fecundity? A summary of evidence. Science. 1980; 208(4444):564-9. DOI: 10.1126/science.7367878. View

Grossman M, Jacobowitz S . Variations in infant mortality rates among counties of the United States: the roles of public policies and programs. Demography. 1981; 18(4):695-713. View

Shepard T, Fantel A . Embryonic and early fetal loss. Clin Perinatol. 1979; 6(2):219-43. View

Wood J, Smouse P . A method of analyzing density-dependent vital rates with an application to the Gainj of Papua New Guinea. Am J Phys Anthropol. 1982; 58(4):403-11. DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.1330580408. View

Elkind D . Egocentrism in adolescence. Child Dev. 1967; 38(4):1025-34. View

Shearer M . Some effects of assisted reproduction on perinatal care. Birth. 1988; 15(3):131-3. DOI: 10.1111/j.1523-536x.1988.tb01092.x. View

Frisch R . Malnutrition and fertility. Science. 1982; 215(4537):1272-4. DOI: 10.1126/science.7199206. View

Bracken M, Kasl S . Psychosocial correlates of delayed decisions to abort. Health Educ Monogr. 1976; 4(1):6-44. DOI: 10.1177/109019817600400102. View

Joyce T . The impact of induced abortion on black and white birth outcomes in the United States. Demography. 1987; 24(2):229-44. View

10.

Wasser S, Barash D . Reproductive suppression among female mammals: implications for biomedicine and sexual selection theory. Q Rev Biol. 1983; 58(4):513-38. DOI: 10.1086/413545. View

11.

Istvan J . Stress, anxiety, and birth outcomes: a critical review of the evidence. Psychol Bull. 1986; 100(3):331-48. View

12.

Jansen R . Spontaneous abortion incidence in the treatment of infertility. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1982; 143(4):451-73. DOI: 10.1016/0002-9378(82)90089-8. View

13.

House J, Landis K, Umberson D . Social relationships and health. Science. 1988; 241(4865):540-5. DOI: 10.1126/science.3399889. View

14.

Mindick B, OSKAMP S, Berger D . Prediction of success or failure in birth planning: an approach to prevention of individual and family stress. Am J Community Psychol. 1977; 5(4):447-59. DOI: 10.1007/BF00877947. View

15.

Ayme S . Maternal-age effect in aneuploidy: does altered embryonic selection play a role?. Am J Hum Genet. 1982; 34(4):558-65. PMC: 1685359. View

16.

Lanham J, KOHL S, Bedell J . Changes in pregnancy outcome after liberalization of the New York State abortion law. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1974; 118(4):485-92. DOI: 10.1016/s0002-9378(16)33688-2. View

17.

Uvnas-Moberg K . The gastrointestinal tract in growth and reproduction. Sci Am. 1989; 261(1):78-83. DOI: 10.1038/scientificamerican0789-78. View

18.

Morishima H, Pedersen H, Finster M . The influence of maternal psychological stress on the fetus. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1978; 131(3):286-90. DOI: 10.1016/0002-9378(78)90602-6. View

19.

Swigar M, Quinlan D, Wexler S . Abortion applicants: characteristics distinguishing dropouts remaining pregnant and those having abortion. Am J Public Health. 1977; 67(2):142-6. PMC: 1653535. DOI: 10.2105/ajph.67.2.142. View

20.

BRAMBELL F . Prenatal mortality in mammals. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc. 1948; 23(4):370-407. DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-185x.1948.tb00565.x. View