Israel becomes IVF capital of the world
Israel is said to have become the IVF capital of the world - for one very good reason:Israel provides free and unlimited IVF procedures for up to two "take-home babies" until a woman reaches 45 years of age.
This very generous policy has made Israelis the highest per-capita users of IVF treatment in the world. In turn it has also made Israel world experts in IVF treatments.
IVF for all
IVF treatment is available to all - Jewish, Arab, stright, gay, secular and religious.
IVF treatment is widely accepted in Israeli society, even amongst the devoutly religious. There is even said to be a growing number of single religious women using IVF, their efforts are approved by rabbis.
"The unique thing about Israel is that it's a high-tech culture on the one hand and a very traditional one on the other," said Sigal Gooldin, a Hebrew University medical sociologist who has studied IVF regulation in Israel.
"It's not just because of the fear of losing children in high-risk military activity, it's because family is an extremely important social institution in Israel and what makes a family is the children."
She added, "Anyone who lives here is expected to have children."
Demographics
Israelis have a high fertility rate, with an average of 2.9 children per family. Part of this has been to remain the majority. However Arab citizens of Israel also have exactly the same access to the generous IVF program.
Four percent
Four percent of Israeli children are born through IVF, compared to approximately one percent in the US - where IVF treatment is always private and costs a substantial amount of money per course - on average $12,400. This can be compared against the cost in Israel of $3,450 - though the state pays this, not the patient.
Read more at: seattletimes.nwsource.com