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Older parents should not have babies: Dubai residents

Dubai - "Do the parents have sufficient income? Will they be able to run after them? What happens when they die?"

While news of a 63-year-old Dubai woman giving birth to a baby girl via IVF treatment brought a lot of applause for the family as well as the doctors and hospital, it also caused a lot of flutter among Khaleej Times' online audience, who questioned whether it was ethical for older couples to have children (read the full story here).

"It's great news that the lady has given birth. She must have prayed for it all her life. But will they be able to take care the child when it grows up," asked Noorie, a surfer on KT's Facebook page.

Farook Mustafa, a young father, had similar concerns.
Delivery at 63 years raises hopes for childless couples

"At this age the woman has already retired, and probably the father too. So how will they take care of their children with a fixed retirement income? Expenses are rising everyday," he commented.

Alisha S., a teacher, needed answers to some more serious questions.

"What will happen when the parents die by the time they touch 70? Who will take care of the child? I hope there is a safety net."

The online audience is not the only group of people raising doubts.

Medical experts have expressed reservations for IVF pregnancy after 60 using third party assistance, which is declared illegal in the country. Due to late marriages and growing number of divorce cases in the UAE and other Gulf countries, many aged women approach infertility clinics seeking help. But doctors have warned against IVF in older women which can cause ethical and health hazards for the mother.

"Having a baby is the greatest dream for me and my wife. For the last 16 years I have undergone treatment in various places and it has cost me around Rs1.5 million," said Abdul Hameed, an Indian manager at a fuel marketing company who is in his mid 40s. "We have spent a lot of money and time on treatment. We haven't still given up hope. Our hopes go up when we hear news like this," Hameed added.

Dr Gautam N Allahbadia, IVF Consultant and Medical Director, Aster IVF and Women Clinic, Dubai, said he is not in support of aged women getting pregnant using third party assisted reproduction. This is not permitted in several countries including the UAE, said Dr Allahbadia. "Many patients come to us for IVF, and we do it only if they are below 45 years and have their own baby genetically." he said.