ROPA – Lesbian shared in vitro fertilization – Ethical aspects

Brandão, Pedro; Pinho, António De; Ceschin, Nathan; Sousa-Santos, Ricardo; Reis-Soares, Sérgio; Bellver, José

doi:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2022.03.046

Cited by 8 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…It is still unclear the importance of sharing biological motherhood to mother-child bond, intracouple relationship, and self-fulfillment. 50 National legislations vary considerably worldwide, not only regarding assisted reproduction or LGBT rights separately but also specifically the LGBT rights in the area of assisted reproduction. In most countries where ROPA is performed, there is no specific legislation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Lesbian shared IVF: the ROPA method: a systematic review

Brandão

Ceschin²

2023

Porto Biomedical Journal

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The ROPA (Reception of Oocytes from PArtner) method, also known as lesbian shared IVF (in vitro fertilization), is an assisted reproduction technique for female couples, in which one of the women provides the oocytes (genetic mother) and the other receives the embryo and gestates (gestational mother). As a double parented method, it is the only way lesbian women may biologically share motherhood. This is a narrative review of data concerning ROPA published in PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library. A total of 35 articles were included, 10 about motivations for undergoing ROPA, 13 about ethics or legislation, 4 about motherhood, and 8 studies reporting clinical outcomes. Despite being used for more than a decade, there is a paucity of data regarding this technique in scientific literature. Most women choose this technique to share biological motherhood, but medical issues may also justify its use. Many ethical and legal issues are still to be solved. Despite the small number of studies, data regarding the outcomes of this technique and the resulting motherhood are reassuring.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is still unclear the importance of sharing biological motherhood to mother-child bond, intracouple relationship, and self-fulfillment. 50 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lesbian shared IVF: the ROPA method: a systematic review

Brandão

Ceschin²

2023

Porto Biomedical Journal

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“…During the last decade, a new method has emerged allowing both members of lesbian couples to be biological mothers of the same child – the ROPA (in Spanish: Recepción de Ovocitos de PAreja, in English: Reception of Oocytes from PArtner), in which the oocytes of one partner (“donor” or “genetic mother”) are fertilized with donated sperm and the resulting embryo is transferred to the other partner’s uterus (“recipient” or “gestational mother”) ( Bodri et al, 2018; Brandão et al, 2022a ). This method allows both members of lesbian couples to have an active role in procreation ( Marina et al, 2010; Brandão et al, 2022d ). Recent studies have shown similar outcomes between the ROPA method and one-way IVF ( Brandão et al., 2022a ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reproductive plans and knowledge of assisted reproductive techniques among lesbian women: an international survey study

Brandão

Zadykowicz

Miscioscia³

et al. 2023

JBRA

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Objective Lesbian couples must resort to adoption or donated semen to achieve parenthood, the latter usually involving assisted reproductive technology. The aim of this study is to assess homosexual women’s knowledge about assisted reproductive techniques, the importance of perceived genetic and gestational relationships for their future mother-child bond, as well as their reproductive plans. Methods This is an observational study based on an anonymous survey disseminated online in several countries on different continents, addressed to homosexual women. Results From the 549 participants, most reported being well informed about reproductive options including assisted reproductive technology. The majority want to be a mother as part of a couple, mainly through assisted reproduction or step adoption of their partner’s child. The importance of a genetic or gestational relationships with their future child varies greatly between women. Among the sampled women, pregnancy was believed to have a slightly greater impact on the future mother-child connection compared to genetics. Conclusions Homosexual women are well informed about the assisted reproductive technology treatments. The majority considers it important to become a mother as a couple, mainly through assisted reproduction or step adoption of their partner’s child. The importance given to gestation or genetic mother-child relationships varies greatly between women, and it seems they believe pregnancy may have a slightly greater impact on the future mother-child connection compared to genetics.

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“…Concerning the ROPA method, even though the first study about it has been published more than 10 years ago, few studies have been developed since then ( Marina et al ., 2010 ). Despite the paucity of information, the outcomes of this technique are reassuring ( Brandão et al, 2022c ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Female couples undergoing assisted reproduction - choices and the importance of pregnancy and genetics

Brandao,

Ceschin,

Sandvik

et al. 2023

JBRA

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Objective To evaluate female couples’ reproductive choices, the importance given to genetics and pregnancy and their expectations regarding mother-child relationship. Methods Observational study based on an anonymous survey applied to 217 patients during 2021. The survey was given to female couples under reproductive treatment in a private fertility clinic. The outcomes were divided into 3 main groups: the choice of their reproductive treatment, motherhood and biological links, and their plans for future reproductive treatments. Results Most patients found it easy to choose their treatments and roles. The choice was mainly driven by success rates, costs, and simplicity, except for ROPA for which sharing biological motherhood was the main reason. Most couples consider genetics and pregnancy important but, in the end, they believe they will have a similar connection to their child, regardless of the role played. In the future, some couples consider doing the same treatment while others consider inverting roles. Conclusions Most female couples have no difficulty when it comes to choosing a reproductive treatment or role to play, mainly based on costs, success rates and the possibility of sharing biological motherhood with the ROPA method. These patients give great importance to genetics and pregnancy, but they expect a similar connection to their child regardless of the type of treatment and the roles played.

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ROPA – Lesbian shared in vitro fertilization – Ethical aspects

Cited by 8 publications

References 27 publications

Lesbian shared IVF: the ROPA method: a systematic review

Lesbian shared IVF: the ROPA method: a systematic review

Reproductive plans and knowledge of assisted reproductive techniques among lesbian women: an international survey study

Female couples undergoing assisted reproduction - choices and the importance of pregnancy and genetics

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