NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Assisted reproductive technology (ART) programs should develop policies and procedures for dealing with intrafamilial gamete donation or gestational surrogacy, according to the Ethics committee of American Society for Reproductive Medicine.
Couples who undergo ART may desire collaboration with first-degree relatives to preserve a family’s genetic inheritance, to avoid the risk of sexually transmitted infections, and to reduce costs, the committee notes in the November issue of Fertility and Sterility. Many times, these intrafamilial relationships are ethical, provided that screening and counseling ensure that the interests of all parties are protected.
However, intrafamilial arrangements that give the appearance of incestuous or consanguineous unions should be avoided, the committee maintains. Thus, a sister should not provide eggs for a brother and a brother should not provide sperm for a sister. Likewise, fathers should not provide sperm to replace that of a daughter’s husband and a mother should not donate eggs for her son’s wife.
In no case should a minor be allowed to participate in these arrangements, the report indicates.
The committee reminds readers that donors and surrogates are exposed to emotional as well as physical risk. For example, they may find it difficult to detach themselves emotionally after birth of the child. Therefore, psychological counseling should explore the unique aspects of the proposed arrangements.
The organization also emphasizes the protection of the offspring’s welfare, pointing out that the child may suffer emotional consequences if informed of their intrafamilial conception or gestation.
“Persons entering into these relationships should be especially sensitive to the social and psychological complications that might ensue and take special care to ensure that the child’s welfare is protected,” they write.
Source: Fertil Steril 2003;80:1124-1130. [ Google search on this article ]
MeSH Headings:Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms: Behavioral Sciences: Community Health Services: Counseling: Behavioral Disciplines and Activities: Ethics: Health Care Facilities, Manpower, and Services: Health Services: Humanities: Mental Health Services: Morals: Philosophy: Psychological Phenomena and Processes: Psychology: Psychology, Applied: Psychology, Social: Health Care Quality, Access, and Evaluation: Health Care: Humanities: Psychiatry and PsychologyCopyright © 2002 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Reuters and the Reuters sphere logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world.
