Ethics and Assisted Reproductive Technology

In 1978, the first successful use of in vitro fertilization (IVF) gave birth to Louise Joy Brown and to the field of medicine known as assisted reproductive technology (ART), allowing infertile couples, those who carry gene-related illness, single women, gay and lesbian couples, and others to become biological parents. ART also introduces a host of ethical concerns about which this month's authors deliberate. These range from requests for help in becoming pregnant after menopause and for conceiving a child who can donate tissue to a seriously ill sibling to proper remuneration for donated eggs and fertility clinics’ incentive to achieve high rates of pregnancy from IVF.

Volume 16, Number 1: 1-88 Full Issue PDF