Revisiting selected ethical aspects of current clinical in vitro fertilization (IVF) practice

Abstract

Ethical considerations are central to all medicine though, likely, nowhere more essential than in the practice of reproductive endocrinology and infertility. Through in vitro fertilization (IVF), this is the only field in medicine involved in creating human life. IVF has, indeed, so far led to close to 10 million births worldwide. Yet, relating to substantial changes in clinical practice of IVF, the medical literature has remained surprisingly quiet over the last two decades. Major changes especially since 2010, however, call for an updated commentary. Three key changes deserve special notice: Starting out as a strictly medical service, IVF in recent years, in efforts to expand female reproductive lifespans in a process given the term “planned” oocyte cryopreservation, increasingly became more socially motivated. The IVF field also increasingly underwent industrialization and commoditization by outside financial interests. Finally, at least partially driven by industrialization and commoditization, so-called add-ons, the term describing mostly unvalidated tests and procedures added to IVF since 2010, have been held responsible for worldwide declines in fresh, non-donor live birthrates after IVF, to levels not seen since the mid-1990s. We here, therefore, do not offer a review of bioethical considerations regarding IVF as a fertility treatment, but attempt to point out ethical issues that arose because of major recent changes in clinical IVF practice.

Clinical Outcome, Socioeconomic Status and Psychological Constrains of Patients Undergoing Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) in Northern Greece

“…However, those embryos can be a valuable source of embryonic stem cell research should the patients not consider them for clinical purposes or donate them to a childless couple. The bioethics and morality of human embryo research raises various concerns [ 49 , 50 ]. In our study, the majority of patients (90%) were keen to donate their chromosomally or genetically abnormal embryos for research instead of simply discarding them.…”

Micro/Nanorobotics in In Vitro Fertilization: A Paradigm Shift in Assisted Reproductive Technologies

“…It is crucial to prioritize the safety and dependability of micro/nano robotic systems to avoid any possible harm to embryos and patients. Researchers and doctors encounter challenges that are worsened by regulatory factors and ethical issues associated with the use of these technologies [9,58,59]. To address these problems, it is essential to utilize interdisciplinary teamwork and rigorous quality control measures to incorporate micro/nano robots safely and efficiently into IVF facilities.…”

Micro/Nanorobotics in In Vitro Fertilization: A Paradigm Shift in Assisted Reproductive Technologies

“…It is crucial to prioritize the safety and dependability of micro/nanorobotic systems to avoid any possible harm to embryos and patients. Researchers and doctors encounter challenges that are worsened by regulatory factors and ethical issues associated with the use of these technologies [9,77,78]. To address these problems, it is essential to utilize interdisciplinary teamwork and rigorous quality control measures to incorporate micro/nanorobots safely and efficiently into IVF facilities.…”