Ethical considerations in assisted reproductive technology

Abstract

The aim of our study is to summarize the evidence on the ethical considerations of assisted human reproduction procedures and to see how does these techniques look like through the eyes of women who experience them.

This study is represented by the experiences of 50 women who used such technologies in order to have a child and answering the question: "If you have already resorted to assisted human reproduction treatments, please detail the experience here."

Regarding the answers of our participants, which are consistent with the literature, among the difficulties they faced we mention the defective patient-doctor relationship (the right to life and equal treatment), the multitude of contradictory information in the public space (the right to be informed), the feeling that experiments are being done on the patient's body (the right to be informed), medical errors that led to pregnancy loss (the right to life), the feeling that private clinics are just businesses that have to make money, but not to take into account the patient's life (marketing), the costs which are a real problem (economy).

In conclusion, it seems that decision-making concerning assisted reproductive technologies cannot be based only on clinical and economic considerations. It is mandatory to take into consideration ethical principles, social norms and religious beliefs.