Assisted Reproductive Technology-Bioethics
Running Head: Assisted Reproductive Technologies
Abstract
ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGIES (ARTs) can be very helpful for certain patients, but ethical concerns have been raised about the inherent nature of specific techniques and the contexts in which many techniques are used. Physicians play important roles in supporting those who wish to become parents and in educating patients about impediments to fertilization and ways to promote conception. We discuss various ethical issues surrounding ARTs, including family relationships, informed choice, gender issues, embryo status and the commercialization of reproduction, as well as legal and policy issues. We examine the empirical evidence of the effectiveness of ARTs and suggest ways to approach ARTs in practice.
What is Assistive Reproductive Technology?
Assisted reproductive technology (ART) is a general term referring to methods used to achieve pregnancy by artificial or partially artificial means. It is reproductive technology used primarily in infertility treatments. Some forms of ART are also used in fertile couples for genetic reasons. ART is also used in couples who are discordant for certain communicable diseases, i.e. AIDS, to reduce the risk of infection when a pregnancy is desired. The term also includes any reproductive technique involving a third party e.g. a sperm donor.
What are Assisted Reproductive Technologies?
Procedures
Procedures are mainly fertility medication, as well as ART techniques that use more substantial and forceful interventions, of which in vitro fertilization (IVF) and expansions of it (e.g. OCR, AZH, ICSI, ZIFT) are the most prevalent. However, there are also other manual ART, not necessarily dependent on IVF (e.g. PGD, GIFT, SSR).
Medication
Most fertility medications are agents that stimulate the development of follicles in the ovary. Examples are gonadotropins and gonadotropin releasing hormone.
In Vitro Fertilization
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the technique of
Abstract
ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGIES (ARTs) can be very helpful for certain patients, but ethical concerns have been raised about the inherent nature of specific techniques and the contexts in which many techniques are used. Physicians play important roles in supporting those who wish to become parents and in educating patients about impediments to fertilization and ways to promote conception. We discuss various ethical issues surrounding ARTs, including family relationships, informed choice, gender issues, embryo status and the commercialization of reproduction, as well as legal and policy issues. We examine the empirical evidence of the effectiveness of ARTs and suggest ways to approach ARTs in practice.
What is Assistive Reproductive Technology?
Assisted reproductive technology (ART) is a general term referring to methods used to achieve pregnancy by artificial or partially artificial means. It is reproductive technology used primarily in infertility treatments. Some forms of ART are also used in fertile couples for genetic reasons. ART is also used in couples who are discordant for certain communicable diseases, i.e. AIDS, to reduce the risk of infection when a pregnancy is desired. The term also includes any reproductive technique involving a third party e.g. a sperm donor.
What are Assisted Reproductive Technologies?
Procedures
Procedures are mainly fertility medication, as well as ART techniques that use more substantial and forceful interventions, of which in vitro fertilization (IVF) and expansions of it (e.g. OCR, AZH, ICSI, ZIFT) are the most prevalent. However, there are also other manual ART, not necessarily dependent on IVF (e.g. PGD, GIFT, SSR).
Medication
Most fertility medications are agents that stimulate the development of follicles in the ovary. Examples are gonadotropins and gonadotropin releasing hormone.
In Vitro Fertilization
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the technique of
Bibliography: Assisted Reproductive Technology. (n.d.) In Encyclopedia Wikipedia online. Retrieved February 2, 2010 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assisted_reproductive_technolo gy Cioffi, A.(2007, October). The Church and Assisted Procreation Cautions for the “Infertile” Couple. Retrieved February 2, 2010 from www.ncbcenter.org Religious response to ART. (n.d.) In Encyclopedia Wikipedia online. Retrieved February 2, 2010 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_response_to_ART Shanner, L., and Nisker, J. (2001, May 21). Bioethics for clinicians: 26. Assisted Reproductive Technologies. Retrieved February 2, 2010, from http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/164/11/1589