Combined use of medically-assisted reproductive techniques: a new bioethical issue

Matteo Bertelli; Stefano Paolacci; Giorgio Placidi; Gino Scaccia; Pietro Chiurazzi; Ezio Fulcheri; Daniele Malacarne; Boleslav Lichterman; Paolo Petralia

doi:10.23750/abm.v90i10-S.8761

Combined use of medically-assisted reproductive techniques: a new bioethical issue

Authors

Matteo Bertelli MAGI Euregio, Bolzano, Italy
Stefano Paolacci MAGI'S LAB
Giorgio Placidi Department of Ophthalmology, Policlinico Gemelli, Rome, Italy
Gino Scaccia Department of Law, LUISS Guido Carli University, Rome, Italy; Department of Law, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
Pietro Chiurazzi Istituto di Medicina Genomica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy; UOC Genetica Medica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome Italy
Ezio Fulcheri UOSD Fetal and Perinatal Pathology, Department of Translational Research, Laboratory Medicine, Diagnostics and Services, IRCCS Giannina Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy
Daniele Malacarne MAGI’s Lab, Rovereto (TN), Italy
Boleslav Lichterman Department of Humanities, First Moscow State Medical University I.M. Sechenov, Moscow, Russia
Paolo Petralia General Director, IRCCS Giannina Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23750/abm.v90i10-S.8761

Keywords:

medically assisted reproduction, in vitro fertilization, oocyte/sperm donation, uterus surrogacy, baby factories

Abstract

Background and aim: The studies of Nobel laureate Robert Geoffrey Edwards led to the first in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer in 1978. Since then, reproductive medicine has made huge advances. Methods available to sterile couples now include: purchasing oocytes and sperm, uterus surrogacy, pre-implantation or pre-natal diagnosis, embryo/fetal selection. Here we highlight the fact that combinations of existing technologies could threaten the non-marketability of human life. Methods: We searched PubMed and websites to find articles regarding assisted reproduction techniques. Results: These methods, taken separately, provide support for natural fertilization, but when used together, they may lead to genuine “baby factories”. In poor countries, such “factories” exist and often act illegally. Conclusions: We highlight the need for deeper bioethical studies and better legislation regarding the combined use of medically-assisted reproductive techniques.

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Published

30-09-2019

Issue

Vol. 90 No. 10-S (2019): Cardiovascular Diseases (Part A) | Infertility and Metabolic Syndromes (Part B) - Guest Editor: Matteo Bertelli, Stefano Paolacci

Section

REVIEWS

License

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0) which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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How to Cite

Bertelli M, Paolacci S, Placidi G, et al. Combined use of medically-assisted reproductive techniques: a new bioethical issue. Acta Biomed. 2019;90(10-S):58-61. doi:10.23750/abm.v90i10-S.8761

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