The Trouble with Test Tubes

A study released today indicates that IVF children are no less physically healthy than those naturally conceived.  The study did, however, note increased incidence of anxiety, depression and related psychological disorders.

Hmmm….  As a matter of causality, would these increased psychological challenges be a matter of nature or nurture?  As politically unpopular as it might be to issue a report suggesting that IVF parents are less effective nurturers than other parents, it would be scientifically indefensible to allow the general public to conclude that something about the IVF process itself produces adverse psychological consequences, without first evaluating whether those couples/women seeking IVF treatment are somehow statistically disposed to parent in a manner that is psychologically damaging.  But that would be hurtful.

I am expressing neither support nor opposition to fertility treatments per se.  I am just intrigued by examples of researchers who consciously avoid obvious avenues of scientific inquiry, out of deference to personal or public prejudice.  Galileo deferred to the supremacy of Church doctrine.  Today’s researchers defer to the supremacy of social convention.  How far have we really come in the last four centuries?