Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s running mate has been a harsh critic of in vitro fertilization, while funding alternative research on extending women’s reproductive years.
Nicole Shanahan has for years denounced IVF — calling it “one of the biggest lies that’s being told about women’s health today.”
At the same time, she has also been a vocal proponent of and financial backer for unconventional research into the possibility of helping women having children into their 50s and exploring no-cost interventions to help women conceive, such as exposure to sunlight.
“I’m not sure that there has been a really thorough mitochondrial respiration study on the effects of two hours of morning sunlight on reproductive health. I would love to fund something like that,” Shanahan said to a 2023 panel with the National Academy of Medicine, a group to which she had previously donated $100 million.The statement was met with chuckles, “Yeah, let’s do it,” she added. “I just have an intuition that could be interesting and maybe work.”
As a candidate, her criticisms of IVF have taken on heightened importance following an Alabama Supreme Court’s ruling that embryos are children, which briefly forced clinics in the states to pause operations. Republicans and Democrats — including both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump — rushed to defend the procedure, which is broadly popular.
The 38-year-old’s opposition to IVF and skepticism of the fertility industry makes her an outlier in the presidential field — though she has not called for banning the procedure.
Kennedy has not weighed in on IVF access, and has made conflicting comments about abortion access. At the Iowa State Fair, Kennedy, 70, said he supported a ban on abortion after 15 or 21 weeks of pregnancy, but then his campaign said he misunderstood the question and does not support such a ban.
@Activi5tLukeNo Labels2mos2MO
You are being disingenuous.
Finding ways to protect & promote fertility so IVF is not necessary is the goal.
IVF is incredibly costly, invasive & often unsuccessful.
It is a tortuous journey for most women. We should be researching ways to protect & promote fertility.
As a warrior mama who conceived through IVF, I can tell you it is an arduous journey that is like mortgaging a house.
Interestingly, aspirin increases live birth rates and isn’t or wasn’t back then part of the IVF protocols. Why? Because it is dirt cheap & available OTC.
Melatonin, a potent free radical scavenger which improves follicle/egg quality is often missing from IVF protocols. Why? Because Big Pharma can’t charge thousands of dollars for it.
Our health system has been hijacked by Big Pharma & wanna be mamas pay the price. Literally.
@ISIDEWITH2mos2MO
@ISIDEWITH2mos2MO
@ISIDEWITH2mos2MO
How do you reconcile the personal desire for biological children with ethical concerns that may arise from procedures like IVF?
@9L72NW22mos2MO
My opinion is that when there are different beliefs funding natural fertility over established
@WidgeonAndyTranshumanist2mos2MO
Let’s have her publicly debate this issue in prime time with Kamala Harris and the Republican VP!!!!! Let’s examine, debate, discuss this very important issue!!!!
@SeagullClaireDemocrat2mos2MO
oh great, this is such a unity ticket Trump can pick either of them to be their VP and put another one into his cabinet
@WondrousAntelopeDemocrat2mos2MO
Alright, can we really shine the full light on these clowns now and get serious about this election.
The historical activity of users engaging with this general discussion.
Loading data...
Loading chart...
Loading the political themes of users that engaged with this discussion
Loading data...
