Informative Speech

Informative Speech

Informative Speech: In vitro fertilization

As much as I enjoy watching the news and catching up on current events, I have to admit that there is one topic in particular that has forced me to walk around with my eyes closed and avoid the news altogether. That topic is “Octomom!” Everywhere I turn, look, or peek, I see a story about the woman who gave birth to eight children. As much as I appreciate the fact that birthing children is a miracle, I would love to hear some actual news once in awhile. And just in case you’re wondering, no, this speech is not about Octomom. It is however, about the procedure she underwent. This procedure is known as in vitro fertilization. Although Nadya Suleman’s situation was very controversial, in vitro fertilization has been an effective way for many who are unable to naturally conceive children. If properly performed, In Vitro Fertilization is one way to build families for those who would otherwise be unable to. According to the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, more than 50,000 babies have been born via in vitro fertilization in 2007 alone. To better understand how Nadya Suleman became “Octomom,” we must first learn what in vitro fertilization is and how it’s performed. Next, we’ll learn about the risks and benefits of the procedure. And lastly, we’ll explore the future of in vitro fertilization.
Now many of you may ask, “What the heck is in vitro fertilization?” Naomi Cahn, author of Test Tube Families: Why the Fertility Market Needs Legal Regulation, defines the term in vitro as a Latin derived word which means “in glass.” Early experiments that involved the development of tissues externally or outside of the body were held in glass containers such as test tubes or beakers. Nowadays, we use the term in vitro to describe any procedure that is performed outside of the body. Fertilization is the joining of an egg and sperm to form an embryo. Thus, the term in vitro fertilization would mean the...