In vitro fertilization is primarily used to assist women who are having fertility problems in getting pregnant and having their own biological children. However, studies in the use of IVF haven't been limited to how the process can assist humans. This is evidenced by the fact that last weekend marked the one year birthday for Komale, a gorilla conceived through in vitro fertilization.
Komale, who lives at the Bristol Zoo, was conceived as part of a project to reduce the endangerment of Western Lowland gorillas. These gorillas have seen a signifcant decrease in population over the last sixty years due to both poaching and deforestation in their native homes. Komale's birthday celebrates some success in bringing new gorilla life into the world.
As for Komale's mother ... Like many women who give birth as a result of in vitro fertilization, she was fairly old when she got pregnant with Komale. In fact, it had been twenty years since she had given birth to her previous gorilla babies. The zoo reports that she has taken well to new motherhood.
Question of the Day: Which other animal populations would you like to see revived through in vitro fertilization?
