In life, many people are facing infertility problems. However, there are many doubts about IVF technology, is it safe? Is it their own? Will there be any problem? In fact, IVF technology is an assisted reproductive technology that can effectively help infertile couples to solve their fertility problems. In order to let patients better understand this technology, Dr. Chen Liang, Deputy Chief Physician of the Reproductive Center of Peking University Hospital and Master’s Supervisor, unveiled the mystery of the life conceived in IVF. I. What is IVF? IVF is medically known as in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET for short). In the past, test tubes were often used in scientific research, so it is commonly referred to as IVF. The earliest in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer technique, the first generation of IVF, refers to the process of removing eggs from a female patient’s body, culturing them in vitro to fertilize with sperm, and then transferring the embryos that have developed to a certain stage in vitro to the woman’s uterine cavity for them to implant and develop into a fetus. It effectively solves the problems of tubal obstruction, endometrial abnormalities, and non-ovulation. However, for patients with azoospermia or severe oligospermia, weak or teratozoospermia, the sperm count is too low to meet the sperm count requirement for in vitro fertilization, the first generation IVF technology is unable to help. The second generation of IVF technology, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), was developed by selecting relatively “robust” and “perfect-looking” (normal morphology) sperm through an extremely fine glass needle under microscopic magnification. The sperm is then injected directly into the oocyte plasma to form a fertilized egg. This is, to put it bluntly, a “pulling together” process. This technique can also be used for patients with obstructive azoospermia, sperm acrosome abnormalities, and IVF fertilization failure. But what about patients who may have genetic disorders? This requires a third generation technology, the third generation IVF technology known as pre-implantation embryo genetic diagnosis (PGD). It is mainly used for patients with genetic disorders. Genetic testing is performed by PCR or fluorescent in situ hybridization after single cells are removed from the cleavage bulb to eliminate abnormal embryos, especially those with genetic defects such as chromosomal translocations. Normal embryos are retained. II. What kind of people need IVF? IVF is a good solution to fertility problems if the couple is old or has failed repeatedly with other methods such as medication, and if fertility is significantly declining. IVF is especially suitable for the following types of patients: 1) tubal factors: tubal obstruction, hydrocele, tuberculosis, post-surgical ligation or congenital tubal agenesis; 2) endometriosis: those who have been ineffectively treated with drugs or surgery; 3) oligospermia and weak spermatozoa that have been ineffectively treated; 4) multiple failed inseminations; 5) immune infertility in both sexes; 6) unexplained infertility; 7) single gene related Genetic diseases, chromosomal diseases, sex-linked genetic diseases and patients who may give birth to abnormal children. III. Is IVF safe? As I said earlier, IVF technology, especially ISCI technology, is a “matchmaking” process, which overrides the natural selection process, and some patients are worried about whether their children will have problems in the future. In addition, IVF technology does not guarantee 100% success, as the patient’s own conditions, laboratory conditions and the technical level of the technicians will affect the success rate. Currently, the success rate of assisted conception in recent years at Beihang University Hospital has steadily reached or exceeded 50%. Larger studies have confirmed that there is no significant difference between IVF and naturally conceived babies in terms of birth defects and later mental development. The fact that the first IVF babies have now given birth to normal babies of their own shows that IVF is safe and reliable. Of course, science and technology are always advancing, and the dream of “customized IVF” may come true in the near future, but there are many ethical and social issues involved, so it is unlikely to happen in the short term. Before IVF, the male partner should visit the Male Clinic of the Reproductive Center of Peking University Hospital for medical or lifestyle management to optimize the quality of sperm and the physical condition of the male partner, which will help to improve the success rate of IVF.