LONDON, May 17 (UPI) -- A pregnant British woman who turns 67 in July is too old to be a good mother, a pioneer in the fertilization techniques of older women said.
Elizabeth Munro will become Britain's oldest mother when she gives birth next month to a baby enabled by fertilization specialists in Ukraine, The Sunday Times of London reported.
Severino Antinori, a researcher who pioneered in vitro fertilization techniques in older women, called Munro's decision "risky" because she might not survive to raise her child.
"I respect the choice medically but I think anything over 63 is risky because you cannot guarantee the child will have a loving mother or family," he said.
Antinori treated Patricia Rashbrook, who gave birth at age 62 after receiving a donor egg. Rashbrook is the oldest woman to have giving birth in Britain.
Munro, a wealthy businesswoman, went to Ukraine for treatment because British doctors would not treat a woman her age.
"Ukraine is one of the worst places," Antinori said. "They don't do tests there. They're pretty adventurous, to say the least."
