Channel Seven viewers have expressed anger and disappointment over a panel discussion on Weekend Sunrise that comparing IVF to ‘gambling addiction’.
The offending segment, which aired on on Sunday, drew criticism on Facebook due to the perceived ‘insensitive’ handling of a serious topic.
‘Thousands’ of would-be parents struggling with fertility issues were left hurt and insulted by statements made during the show, including the suggestion that people wanting a family ‘need to start younger’.
‘Disgraceful’: Channel Seven viewers have expressed anger and disappointment over a panel discussion on Weekend Sunrise that comparing IVF to ‘gambling addiction’
The panel discussion was led by Weekend Sunrise hosts Basil Zempilas and Monique Wright and also featured journalist Melissa Hoyer and newsreader Ron Wilson.
Quoting an article in The Daily Telegraph about a couple that had been unsuccessful in their attempt to have a child after 12 rounds of fertility treatment, Basil introduced the discussion with a warning about ‘women getting hooked on IVF in the same way gamblers get addicted to the pokies.’
Melissa kicked off the debate, claiming that if couples are unsuccessful after multiple rounds of IVF then perhaps it’s ‘not meant to be’.
Outrage: The panel discussion was led by Weekend Sunrise hosts Basil Zempilas and Monique Wright and also featured journalist Melissa Hoyer and newsreader Ron Wilson
Basil then asked: ‘Do you think there should be a try limit? Nine times, 10 times, something like that?’
Later, Ron said: ‘Everything I read about IVF, the main inhibitors are age and stress and both of those are things you can deal with.
‘Obviously there are medical conditions, but if you’re going to have a family, you really need to get started younger and get the stress out of your life.’
‘Sunrise owes every man and woman suffering from infertility an apology’: After the discussion was shared to Facebook, Sunrise viewers criticised how the sensitive issue was handled
Host Monique responded: ‘I think what irritates women who are on IVF the most is people saying to them, “You just have to relax and it will happen”.’
Ron then attempted to prove his point by telling a story about a famous couple that underwent IVF.
He said: ‘I’ve worked with two very high profile television presenters and both of them went through IVF and eventually, they did have babies.
‘And the next time around, they fell pregnant without any trouble at all.’
After the discussion was shared to Sunrise’s Facebook account, several viewers criticised how the sensitive issue was handled.
‘Sunrise owes every man and woman suffering from infertility an apology,’ one social media user wrote. ‘The level of compassion is zero.’
Another commented: ‘IVF is hardly an addiction and Sunrise should be ashamed for presenting as such!’
Furious response: ‘Sunrise owes every man and woman suffering from infertility an apology,’ one social media user wrote. ‘The level of compassion is zero’
Meanwhile, IVF clinic Fertility SA also offered their own response to the TV debate.
‘We think you got this one wrong Sunrise,’ they wrote. ‘Call us when you’d like science and fact, rather than opinion and misinformation.
‘We’d be happy for one of our Fertility Specialists to discuss what infertility and IVF really means and dispel some of these myths.’
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel Seven for comment.
‘Call us when you’d like science and fact, rather than opinion and misinformation’: IVF clinic Fertility SA also offered their own response to the TV debate