Adoption vs. IVF: The Obsession with Biological Legacy in an Overpopulated World

Adoption vs. IVF: The Obsession with Biological Legacy in an Overpopulated World

In a world bursting at the seams with unnecessary people, where human impact is straining every resource imaginable, it’s beyond comprehension why some individuals insist on artificially producing more babies instead of adopting the ones already here. The International Committee for Monitoring Assisted Reproductive Technologies estimates that at least 12 million babies have been born via in vitro fertilization (IVF) and other assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) since 1978.

Twelve. Million.

That’s twelve million additional human beings forcibly yanked into existence because some stubborn would-be parents refuse to accept what their bodies are telling them: "No, you are not meant to procreate." But instead of listening, they shell out tens of thousands of dollars to doctors who "play god" by manipulating biology, creating life in sterile labs while millions of children languish in foster care and adoption systems.

The Cost of “Biological Legacy”

Would-be parents argue that adoption is "too difficult" or "too expensive." The truth? Adoption through foster care can cost next to nothing, while private and international adoptions range from $5,000 to $60,000. Even at its most expensive, adoption is often cheaper than multiple rounds of IVF, and it provides homes to children who desperately need them.

Because truly desperate persons would snatch the quickest, easiest and least expensive option. But let’s be honest—most people don’t want to adopt because at least 25% of children in foster care have special needs. The reality is that many prospective parents aren’t looking for handicapped children; they’re looking for their own mini-me, a designer baby crafted to fit their expectations. This is where IVF allows them to be picky, selecting embryos based on genetic makeup and even gender in some cases.

Let’s Talk Numbers

In 2022 alone, the U.S. saw 389,993 IVF cycles performed, resulting in 91,771 live births. The cost? Up to $20,000 per cycle—and that’s for a procedure with no guaranteed success. Meanwhile, in that same year, only 53,665 children were adopted in the U.S., a 1% decrease from 2021. To put this into perspective, roughly 100,000 children sit in foster care at any given time, waiting for a permanent home—yet IVF births outpace adoptions nearly 2 to 1.

Globally, over 10 million babies have been created through IVF treatments, further exacerbating the problem of unchecked population growth!

The Ethical Dilemma: Playing God vs. Saving a Life

The biological obsession that fuels IVF isn't just egotistical; it’s unethical. Why do we praise those who “defy the odds” through ARTs, but fail to celebrate those who adopt? And while we're at it, why aren't there commercials for orphanages? Why tf are people more willing to manufacture a life than nurture an existing one?

The fact that in vitro fertilization has been around since 1978, and now we’re three generations deep into this artificially engineered population boom. First, the IVF babies arrived, then they had babies, and now those babies are having babies. That’s three layers of extra humans—like an overstuffed lasagna of unnecessary people. What. The. Hell.

All because some women back in the 70s couldn't accept that nature has made its decision when a person cannot conceive. Defying this limitation isn’t an act of triumph—it’s a reckless, self-indulgent gamble with the future of the planet. If you continue to prioritize artificial conception over adoption, you aren’t just increasing the population unnecessarily—you're actively choosing to let vulnerable children go without homes while you manufacture new ones to fit your own egos! How daft are you?!

At the end of the day, if you’re willing to spend $20,000+ to make a baby in a lab rather than rescue a child from the foster system, don’t say "it's your right.” Call it what it really is: YOU'RE DEAD WRONG.

This article integrates statistics from multiple sources, including the International Committee for Monitoring Assisted Reproductive Technologies, AdoptUSKids, Adoption Network, and research on the costs of both IVF and adoption (Adoption from foster care - AdoptUSKids) (How Many Adoptees Are in the US? | Adoption Network | Adoption Network). i.e., https://www.childrensrights.org/news-voices/at-least-one-third-of-children-in-foster-care-have-disabilities

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7215624/

https://adoptionnetwork.com/how-long-does-it-take-to-adopt-a-child/#:~:text=In%20both%20domestic%20and%20international,in%20different%20states%20and%20countries

https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/ivf

https://adoptuskids.org/adoption-and-foster-care/overview/what-does-it-cost#:~:text=According%20to%20Child%20Welfare%20Information,can%20cost%20%245%2C000%20to%20%2440%2C000

https://www.kff.org/womens-health-policy/issue-brief/access-to-fertility-care-findings-from-the-2024-kff-womens-health-survey/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6537344/