Use ofin vitrofertilization—ethical issues

Abstract

This report is an ethical analysis based on both facts and values. In in vitro fertilization (IVF), there is an intricate interaction between rapid scientific development and changing societal values. In most countries, the ethical discussion is no longer on whether or not IVF in itself is ethically justifiable. Therefore, in this review, I discuss other ethical aspects that have emerged since IVF was first introduced, such as upper age limits, 'ownership' of gametes and embryos, IVF in single women and samesex couples, preimplantatory genetic testing, social egg freezing, commercialization, public funding, and prioritization of IVF. Despite secularization, since religion still plays an important role in regulation and practices of IVF in many countries, positions on IVF among the world religions are summarized. Decision-making concerning IVF cannot be based only on clinical and economic considerations; these cannot be disentangled from ethical principles. Many concerns regarding the costs, effects, and safety of IVF subtly transcend into more complex questions about what it means to society to bear and give birth to children.

Delegation of parenthood and language of reproduction: experts and patients on the birth of ART-children

“…According to Kjell Asplund (Asplund 2019), ethical contradictions concerning the possible "artificial" reproduction of humans arose back in the 1930s, when the first studies, which were connected with popular at the moment eugenics, were published in this field. Even then, the main moral problems were women giving birth to children for other women and the lack of need for men to continue the genus (Asplund 2019). After Louise Brown's birth in 1978, this controversy became even more vigorous.…”

“…Public perception of women of late reproductive and post-productive age giving children a life through ART remains largely negative, and there is still a debate on setting the upper age for childbirth, somewhere at 40-50 years old (Brezina and Zhao 2012;Asplund 2019). At the same time, the discussion on the age of the father does not exist or it is less evident -in patriarchal society fathers of any age who have an imperious resource never seemed to be a problem, and in some societies, they have always been the norm.…”

Preimplantation and prenatal genetic diagnostics in Russian Federation: ethical and legal issues

“…технологии, которая до сих пор остается объектом критики с религиозно-нравственных позиций. И хотя, по мнению специалистов, для большинства стран вопрос о том, является ли само по себе экстракорпоральное оплодотворение этически оправданным, уже решен положительно, практика постоянно выносит на обсуждение новые этико-правовые проблемы, такие как определение верхних возрастных ограничений для проведения данной процедуры, допустимости ее для одиноких женщин и однополых пар, возможности «владения» гаметами и эмбрионами, замораживание яйцеклеток, государственное финансирование (Asplund, 2020) и т.д. Проблемы такого рода, относящиеся исключительно к экстракорпоральному оплодотворению, выходят за рамки нашего анализа.…”

“I did everything humanly possible”: the process of making reproductive decisions in the context of assisted reproduction in Chile

“…ART is not transferred neutrally but is translated into local practices and languages (Raspberry 2007). According to Asplund (2020), assisted reproduction involves a complex interaction between rapid scientific-technological development and changes (and continuities) in societal values. The use and regulation of ARTs raise questions about what constitutes human life, what elements determine parenthood, and to what extent it is legitimate to intervene in reproduction.…”

“…It has explored how the different actors (mothers, fathers, donors, 1 surrogates, health professionals) react to the new possibilities of intervention offered by technologies such as IVF, the donation of gametes and embryos, surrogacy, the preservation of fertility and prenatal diagnosis (Faircloth and Gürtin 2018;Franklin 1997;Graham and Braverman 2012;Herrera 2009;Herrera et al 2018;Jociles, Rivas and Álvarez, 2017;Lupton 2012;Mozersky et al 2017;Rapp 1999;Smietana 2013Smietana , 2016Thompson 2005). It has also reflected upon the ethical challenges raised by the use of ARTs (Asplund 2020).…”