"18 WAYS TO MAKE A BABY"

"18 WAYS TO MAKE A BABY," A SPECIAL ONLINE CHAT during the 12th annual NATIONAL INFERTILITY AWARENESS WEEK, October 7-14

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE      

BOSTON, OCTOBER 5, 2001 --

Where do babies come from? The answer isn't as straightforward as it used to be. Jamie Grifo, M.D., Ph.D., and Alice Domar, Ph.D., join with people across the country for an open dialogue about the latest chapter of the reproductive revolution on the Thrive Online website, Monday, October 8th at 7pm EST.

The event kicks off the 12th annual National Infertility Awareness Week, October 7-14 as the country debates medical, ethical and social issues such as genetic screening, the use of embryos in stem cell research, cloning of human life and the effects of lifestyle choices on fertility.

"Now, more than ever, it is important for our society -- and women and men struggling with infertility -- to understand the numerous issues surrounding human reproduction and fertility, as new technologies are broadening the treatment options, while also creating the opportunity to possibly treat or cure life-threatening diseases," says Joan Bowen, executive director, RESOLVE. "However, we must also be cautious, as some of these advances come with potentially significant risks.

"This year, National Infertility Awareness Week® focuses on bringing together infertile women and men, medical professionals, counselors, adoption resources, researchers, legislators and others to create a better understanding of today's complex medical and social issues related to human reproduction and family building," said Bowen.

The Thrive Online Chat "18 WAYS TO MAKE A BABY" is Monday, October 8th at 7 pm EST. The site can be found in the Sexuality part of www.ThriveOnline.com, or directly at:

             http://thriveonline.oxygen.com/chat/

One of the topics will be the The Mind/Body Program for Infertility, developed by Dr. Domar 1987. It is a comprehensive, complementary program designed to decrease symptoms, reduce isolation, and educate participants on the potential adverse impact of certain lifestyle behaviors on their reproductive health.
Clinical outcomes for participants in the eleven-session program with an average of three years of infertility show statistically significant decreases in physical symptoms, all measured psychological symptoms, and a 42% pregnancy rate.
The typical clinic patient is married, in her mid- to late- thirties, has been trying to conceive for three years, and has finished the infertility work-up and basic treatment. Many patients are either contemplating high-tech treatment or have had failed cycles. The average patient reports two-three physical symptoms, which have become worse since the infertility, as well as heightened depression scores, often in the moderate to severe range. Research has shown that depressed women who undergo in vitro fertilization are half as likely to conceive as non-depressed women.

By program end, most physical symptoms are notably less frequent and intense, her depression score will be in the normal range, and she reports that she feels like "her old self" again. She has almost a 50% chance of conceiving within six months.

ABOUT THE HOSTS:
About Alice Domar, Ph.D.
Dr. Domar directs the Mind/Body Center for Women's Health at the Mind/Body Medical Institute, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School. She also developed and directs the Mind/Body Program for Infertility at the Division of Behavioral Medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. In addition, Dr. Domar is a senior scientist at the Mind/Body Medical Institute, an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, and on the Executive Committee of the Mental Health Professional Group of the ASRM. She is the author of "Healing Mind, Healthy Woman" (Dell, 1997), "Self-Nurture" (Viking, January 2000) and "Six Steps for Increased Fertility" (Simon and Schuster, 2000).

About Jamie Grifo, M.D., Ph.D.
Dr. Grifo is the director of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology at the New York University (NYU) School of Medicine, and also holds the faculty appointment of professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the NYU School of Medicine. A member of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) since 1989, Dr. Grifo has served on the Ethics Committee and is currently the vice president of the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technologies (SART). His scientific interests are focused in the area of pre-implantation genetic diagnosis, and his team had the first successful delivery in the United States from the embryo biopsy procedure. He has also served as an ad hoc reviewer for the New England Journal of Medicine, The Journal of the American Medical Association, Human Reproduction, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Fertility and Sterility. He appears in the NOVA special "18 Ways to Make a Baby" (more on the program below).

TV NOVA SPECIAL: "18 Ways to Make a Baby
To learn more about the advances -- as well as the ever more daring procedures -- in assisted reproductive technologies, tune in to the NOVA special "18 Ways to Make a Baby," Tuesday, October 9 at 8 p.m. ET on PBS.

The bewildering new possibilities for treating infertility already involve genetic engineering and have arrived at the brink of cloning. NOVA examines how life -- at least on the cellular level -- has become easier to manipulate than anyone might have conceived.

RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association since 1974, is the oldest and largest consumer nonprofit that provides education, advocacy and support to those struggling with infertility. Each year, National RESOLVE and its network of more than 50 chapters across the U.S. handle over one million contacts from people seeking information about infertility. Contact the RESOLVE HelpLine at 617-623-0744 or visit the RESOLVE website at www.resolve.org

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FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE MIND/BODY INSTITUTE, CONTACT:          
Mind/Body Medical Institute
110 Francis Street
Boston, MA 02215
Tel: (617) 632-9530
Fax: (617) 632-9545
Email: mbmi@caregroup.harvard.edu
http://www.mbmi.org

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT NATIONAL INFERTILITY AWARENESS WEEK®, RESOLVE, OR FOR A FULL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS BEING HELD DURING NIAW, CONTACT:          
Gina Cella               
Cella Communications
781-334-4692
ginacella@earthlink.net