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Doctor Says He Can Stop Biological Clock

Vitrification Not Ready For Prime Time, Some Say

UPDATED: 8:57 am EDT May 19, 2008

A person's biological clock starts ticking as soon as he or she is born. The older one gets, the louder it beats.

Video: Can Treatment Stop Biological Clock?

But a Sacramento fertility doctor told television station KCRA he can stop the biological clock and save eggs.

Dr. Robert Green uses technology in a process called vitrification that works by freezing a woman's eggs to match her partner's sperm at a later date.

The technology was originally created for young cancer patients who wanted to preserve their fertility after chemotherapy, but Green said he is now using vitrification for women who chose careers over family but want to have children later.

"So many women today are actually pursuing their career first and then delaying having their children until later," said Green, who works out of Sacramento's Sher Institutes for Reproductive Medicine.

Amber Kraver, 30, was diagnosed with fertility problems and the onset of early menopause five years ago. Amber and her husband, Kevin, decided to turn to Green.

"I don't have a lot of time left at this age (to have children)," Amber Kraver said. "As a little girl, I just imagined growing up and being able to have children."

Vitrification is an expensive procedure, and fertility expert Dr. Michael Murray said the technology is not ready for prime time.

"With this new technology, it shows great promise, but it's just not ready for prime time, and the reason is pregnancy rates are at just about 4 percent," Murray said.

Green said he disagrees. He said based on previous experience of people doing vitrification, roughly 40 percent of the egg-freezing procedures result in the delivery of a healthy baby.

The Kravers said they know there are no guarantees but hold onto hope.

"It's no silver bullet. There is no silver bullet in fertility. But I think that it gives women opportunities and it gives them hope," Amber Kraver said.


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