Latest news with #fertility
Bloomberg
2 hours ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Why AI Will Change Everything, But Not How You Think
One of the upsides of collapsing fertility should be rising incomes for those who choose to work. Fewer workers supporting a fast-rising group of elderly people (and in the UK at least, a fast-rising group of disabled people) should make labor very valuable indeed. Good news, given how horrible real income growth has been over the last 15 years. If all goes well with this transition to peak humanity, young people might even soon be able to afford to buy houses and have children again.
Wall Street Journal
7 hours ago
- Business
- Wall Street Journal
Americans Want More Kids. The IRS Can Help
In his op-ed 'You Can't Legislate Fertility' (June 24), Matthew Hennessey writes that 'encouraging people to start families is a job for churches and civil society, not the IRS.' But Americans rely on the tax code to make it easier to have the children they already want. Women in the U.S. report having, on average, one child fewer than they'd like. Programs like the child tax credit can help close that gap. The current credit has lost a fifth of its value to inflation since President Trump's first term. The reconciliation bill is Congress's chance to add that value back. Parents are essentially small-scale entrepreneurs: When they're empowered to take risks, everyone benefits from the payoff. Family tax benefits are pro-growth policy—like R&D credits, they help parents afford the start-up costs of a major investment in the future of their family and our country.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
A new AI breakthrough helped one couple get pregnant after 19 years—here's what it could mean for others
For nearly 19 years, Rosie and her husband tried to grow their family. Their journey spanned 15 IVF cycles, countless doctor visits, and emotional highs and lows that left them exhausted but still hopeful. Each attempt came with the quiet ache of disappointment. Still, they held onto their dream. In March 2025, something changed. Doctors at Columbia University Fertility Center helped the couple achieve what had always felt just out of reach—a successful pregnancy. What made the difference wasn't a new medication or procedure, but a scientific advance that sounded almost improbable: artificial intelligence. A novel AI-powered tool, developed by a team led by Dr. Zev Williams, found what doctors had never been able to detect in her husband's semen sample—viable sperm. That discovery led to the first pregnancy in the world using this new technology. Fertility care has long focused on women, despite male factors contributing to nearly 40% of infertility cases. Azoospermia—a condition where no sperm are found in the ejaculate—is among the most challenging to treat. Even with advanced microscopes, sperm can be nearly impossible to detect, and options are often limited to surgery or donor sperm. For many couples, especially those with religious or cultural reasons to avoid donor conception, that leaves few alternatives. This gap in care reflects deeper assumptions in reproductive medicine, where male fertility is often underexamined. The system, called STAR, is designed specifically to help address cases of azoospermia in a noninvasive and sperm-preserving way—offering a long-overdue shift in how male infertility is approached. Related: The Truth about Men's Infertility To tackle azoospermia, researchers at Columbia University developed a system called STAR (Sperm Track and Recovery). It uses artificial intelligence and a microfluidic chip to scan millions of microscopic images, identifying and isolating rare sperm that would otherwise go unnoticed. If sperm are detected, the system isolates and collects them—gently enough for use in IVF. In tests, STAR found dozens of sperm in samples that human embryologists had spent days analyzing without success. The inspiration came from astronomy, where AI helps spot new stars in a sky full of noise. Here, the system scans semen samples with similar precision. When STAR detects sperm, it diverts that tiny portion for collection—preserving viable cells for fertilization. In one early test, embryologists spent two days combing through a sample without success. STAR found 44 sperm in under an hour. It's opening doors for couples who were once told they had no options—offering more than just speed. This marks the first reported case where AI has been used not only to detect sperm in complex samples, but also to physically recover them for use in fertility treatment—offering new hope to families who previously had few or no options. Related: It's time to stop calling infertility a women's health issue For nearly two decades, Rosie and her husband dreamed of starting a family. After 15 unsuccessful IVF cycles and years of searching for answers, they were told that her husband's azoospermia left them with few options beyond using donor sperm—something they weren't ready to accept. Then they heard about STAR. Through a community group, Rosie connected with Dr. Zev Williams' team and learned about the new AI technology. For the first time, there was a tool that could potentially find viable sperm in a noninvasive, chemical-free way. That was enough to give them the courage to try one more cycle. This time, STAR found sperm—enough to fertilize Rosie's eggs. Just days later, she got the call she never thought she'd receive: she was pregnant. Now four months along, she says she still wakes up in disbelief. But the scans are real—and so is her baby. Related: The powerful documentary 'One More Shot' captures infertility on film like never before The success of STAR marks a technological milestone and signals a new frontier in understanding and treating infertility. Traditionally, couples facing azoospermia had few options beyond donor sperm. Now, STAR offers a potential path forward by making it possible to locate and retrieve even extremely rare sperm without damaging them. Here's what STAR could mean for the future of fertility care: Faster, more precise sperm selection: STAR scans millions of frames per hour, identifying and isolating viable sperm in real time. Expanded options for couples facing male-factor infertility: The technology may help those who were previously told they had no viable options. Less reliance on invasive or costly procedures: By improving sperm detection, STAR could reduce the need for more aggressive interventions. A shift in how infertility is approached clinically: STAR's success could signal a broader rethinking of diagnostic and treatment pathways. Potential to democratize access to advanced fertility care: As the technology becomes more scalable, it may increase availability and affordability. As Dr. Zev Williams explains, this AI doesn't replace the human touch; it extends it. With STAR, the goal is to give couples facing daunting odds a better chance—something that's long felt out of reach. AI is quietly transforming the way fertility challenges are understood and treated. Tools like STAR aren't science fiction—they're already helping families who've spent years navigating heartbreak and uncertainty. By spotting what even the most skilled eyes can miss, AI is opening new doors in cases that once seemed hopeless. For parents and parents-to-be, this isn't just about technology—it's about renewed possibility. As research continues, innovations like STAR could offer more families the chance to grow, with less guesswork and more hope.
Globe and Mail
17 hours ago
- Health
- Globe and Mail
Surrogacy4All Releases 2025 Rankings of Top Surrogacy Agencies, Championing Transparency, and Ethical Care for Intended Parents
People and couples who want to start a family may find it hard to figure out the complicated world of fertility services. There are more than 300 agencies in the US that offer gestational surrogacy, therefore it's really important to choose the correct one. Surrogacy4All, a well-known and doctor-owned agency, has proudly announced the release of its long-awaited 2025 Rankings of the Top 90 Surrogacy Agencies in the USA in answer to this challenge. Whether growing a family or helping others as an agency or clinic, the difference between a long wait and a smooth journey starts here. They reviewed 90+ U.S. surrogacy agencies and ranked them by what matters most: Fastest surrogate match times Cost transparency (no surprise fees) Success rates & medical oversight NYS licensing + FDA registration Only 4 agencies made it to Tier 1 — including those that are physician-led and fully certified. These are arranged alphabetically below: - Conceive Abilities - Family Inceptions International LLC - Happy Beginnings LLC - View the full 2025 rankings now: The new ranking is the first in the country to evaluate agencies offering commercial surrogacy based on critical criteria, including clinical success rates based on fertilization, surrogate match times, physician involvement, licensing, Google reviews, and surrogacy cost transparency. The initiative seeks to cut through marketing noise, revealing what truly matters to families: success, safety, and support. Dr. Naman Arya, Medical Coordinator of Surrogacy4All, stated, "Our mission is to make surrogacy accessible and ethical for all families. That starts with transparency. These rankings help intended parents, especially LGBTQ+ couples, navigate a confusing market and make informed decisions". Dr. Kulsoom Baloch, medical advisor at Surrogacy4All, emphasized, "Choosing a surrogacy agency is a leap of faith. Our goal was to bring trust and transparency to that journey by giving Intended Parents the data they need to make informed, confident choices". Surrogacy4All has emerged as a Tier 1 agency in these rankings, meeting the gold standard of being New York State licensed, FDA registered, and physician-led. Established in 2006, the agency boasts a 0-month match time, one of the fastest in the industry, and a 90%+ success rate for surrogacy journeys. The average journey cost for USA surrogacy is around $120,000, while overseas options start from $45,000. The organization also offers international options in Canada, Ghana, India, and more, each with distinct costs and regulations. The agency is owned and run by doctors. Therefore, the health and well-being of both the surrogate and the baby are always the most important. Surrogacy4All is open to all intended parents, including couples, LGBT parents, single men, and single women. They offer the best support and specialized advice. They connect intended parents with the best fertility clinics in the US. They have worked with hundreds of intended parents and over 100 IVF Centers around the country. They have been doing this for more than ten years and have a database of over 1,000 egg donors and surrogates. Testimonials highlight the agency's compassionate care, transparent pricing, and unwavering support. One client noted, "We searched far and wide—Googling everything from 'surrogacy agencies near me' to 'surrogacy programs near me' and 'best surrogacy agency near me.' After weeks of research, it became clear that Surrogacy4All offered the best value proposition in the entire country". The whole analysis, which puts more than 90 agencies into four groups, is available online. It includes graphics that compare services side by side, as well as estimates of costs, wait times, and success rates. These rankings should help intended parents avoid delays, scams, or high expenses, since agencies who don't have FDA or NYS certifications may not be able to prove that they are following the law. About Surrogacy4All: Surrogacy4All is a part of DGA, Inc., which is based in New York City. Since 2006, their physician-owned, FDA-registered, and New York State-licensed organization has helped hundreds of intended parents have successful surrogacy journeys in the US and Canada. Their goal is to make dreams come true by offering the best IVF and surrogacy services at low prices all over the world, while making sure that everyone gets the best care and service possible. Their affiliated websites are and Media Contact Company Name: Surrogacy4All Contact Person: Deepak Gulati Email: Send Email Phone: 2126617673 Address: 1148 Fifth Avenue 1C City: New York State: NY 10128N Country: United States Website:
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
What queer parenthood taught me about grief and grace
Since I was a tiny child, I knew I wanted to be a parent. Through my days of discovering my queerness, exploring polyamory, and generally rejecting society's expectations of how relationships "should" go, the plan of becoming a parent never faded. I was initially drawn to the work of midwifery because it combined many of the things I was passionate about: humans getting in touch with our animal-ness, the power inherent in bodies assigned female at birth, and the sacred transition into parenthood. When I met someone who already had a child and was planning to have another one as a solo parent by choice, I jumped in headfirst. We fell in love and decided to do the queer family experience together. Over time, the kids she birthed became mine; some years later, I gave birth to another. We fully blended our families. Then, when our youngest child was two, we separated. I found myself floored with grief. I hadn't expected my journey in family and parenthood to be so complex and full of the unexpected. Grief manifests in various ways in queer and non-traditional family building. Many mourn that we can't procreate with the person we love and want to parent. I work with clients who find their "perfect" identified (known) donor. Then, they discover that they have poor sperm quality, meaning they need to start the donor search process from scratch. People experience fertility challenges, miscarriage, and pregnancy loss. There is also grief that the family of the non-gestational parent won't accept their child since they are not biologically related. Many of us feel grief that we cannot shield our children, or future children, from the suffering of the world. So many people, myself included, experience immense hope at the beginning of our family-building journeys. It's beautiful, hopeful, and exciting to make the choice, especially in today's political environment, as a queer person, to grow and nurture the next generation. Parenting is a revolutionary act that brings healing potential to our lives, lineages, and communities. And it's some of the most challenging work in the world, especially in a society that doesn't support parents in general, let alone parents who belong to the LGBTQ+ community. When we acknowledge that grief is often a part of this queer family-building journey, we become stronger and more resilient in handling the curveballs that this process throws our way. It also helps people normalize grief and not feel that it is some sort of personal failure if and when some aspect of growing their family becomes harder than originally anticipated. In their book Tending Grief: Embodied Rituals for Holding Our Sorrow and Growing Cultures of Care in Community, Camille Barton talks about how inherent grief is to the human experience. Those of us raised in Western societies are conditioned to turn away from our grief, which is a necessary and essential part of our humanity. Turning away from grief, they explain, causes us to feel numb and disconnected from ourselves and our bodies. We need to learn to allow ourselves to grieve to feel joy, connection, and even pleasure. When I support people through the beginning of their family-building process, I encourage them to anticipate that it will likely be a challenging journey. I tell my clients: you may need to let go of many things you become attached to, even before your first attempt, again and again. This process may test you and, if applicable, your relationship, in many unexpected ways. And the more you can see these trials as part of your own maturation and skill-building journey towards parenthood, the more able you will be to meet the moment with courage and an openness to Grow. When we normalize the reality that grief is often a part of this family-building process, it helps us build resilience in ourselves, our relationships, and the broader communities that will harbor our families as they evolve and change. And what a gift this is to our future children. Marea GoodmanSand and Stone Media for Marea Goodman Voices is dedicated to featuring a wide range of inspiring personal stories and impactful opinions from the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. Visit to learn more about submission guidelines. Views expressed in Voices stories are those of the guest writers, columnists, and editors, and do not directly represent the views of The Advocate or our parent company, equalpride. This article originally appeared on Advocate: What queer parenthood taught me about grief and grace
