Conceptions and Misconceptions: A Guide Through the Maze of In Vitro and Other Assisted Reproduction Techniques

Andrea Levan is an associate professor and co-ordinator of the Women’s
Studies Program at Thorneloe College, Laurentian University.

This extraordinarily user-friendly “consumer’s guide to assisted
reproduction techniques” is a balanced and exhaustive examination of
everything that an individual or couple struggling with issues of
infertility might need to know.

The book reviews common misconceptions about dealing with infertility;
illuminates a number of ethical problems with concrete references to
particular doctors, patients, or scientific research; carefully explains
the male and female reproductive systems and the various problems
contributing to infertility; describes the tests and procedures that
determine the causes of infertility, and then ranks them according to
complexity, degree of discomfort, and cost; and examines in detail each
of the major technologies for achieving the goal of a live birth. The
authors take special pains to anticipate questions, to guide potential
consumers through various pitfalls to be avoided, to outline various
choices that will need to be made, and to provide information to be
considered in making decisions. They also give specific suggestions
about how to choose a practitioner or clinic and how to interpret
success results that are advertised.

While Conceptions and Misconceptions would be most useful for patients
needing fertility counseling, it offers such a wealth of solid
information that it would be a valuable resource for anyone wanting to
know more about the subject.