DENVER -- There is growing criticism over a California woman's decision to seek infertility treatment which resulted in the birth of eight children.

The 31-year-old woman lives at home with her parents, who say they want to be left alone.

"Do me a favor, give us our privacy," the woman's father told ABC News. "Please get out of here."

"It raises very important ethical questions," said Dr. Warren Hern, a longtime supporter of women's reproductive rights and a specialist in late-term abortions.

"What is the role of the physician who assisted her in having a multiple pregnancy with artificial fertilization when she already has six children?" Hern asked.

Hern said there are questions about the doctor's decision and the mother's.

"I understand she was offered the opportunity to reduce the number of embryos, which would be the medically correct thing to do, and she refused," Hern said. "So what is her responsibility and what was her motive?"

Hern, an environmentalist, questions the wisdom of the mother's decision to raise 14 children.

"Every American uses 25 to 50 times more resources than people in other countries," he said. "The consequences of population growth like that are having a catastrophic effect on the planet."

Not every medical professional is as outspoken as Hern.

Dr. Patricia McShane is an expert in advanced reproductive medicine at the University of Colorado Hospital. She would not talk about the California case, but did tell 7NEWS that there are risks with infertility treatment.

"There is a risk of prematurity," McShane said. "The chance of prematurity for twins is 50 percent. With triplets it's 90 percent."

McShane added that prematurity can lead to lifelong problems.

"Cerebral palsy is certainly one," she said. "There can be eye problems, problems with breathing and lung development, even survival can be an issue."