Hum. Reprod. Advance Access originally published online on April 14, 2005
Human Reproduction 2005 20(8):2359-2361; doi:10.1093/humrep/dei026
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Post-mortem sperm retrieval in new European Union countries: Case report
1 Centre for Assisted Reproduction, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, I. P. Pavlova 6, 775 20 Olomouc, 2 Institute of Forensic Medicine and Medical Law, Faculty of Medicine, Hnevotinska 3, 772 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic, 3 The University College London Hospitals, Reproductive Medicine Unit, 2nd Floor, Obstetric Hospital, Huntley Street, London WC1E 6AU, UK
3 To whom correspondence should be addressed. Email: dostalj{at}fnol.cz
This paper describes post-mortem sperm retrieval from a man who had given prior written consent to the retrieval and use of his sperm in assisted reproduction before his accidental death. The case illustrates some of the complex ethical and legal issues occurring in a new European Union (EU) country and the need for prior preparation by the medical teams involved. We also discuss a questionnaire sent to Centres of Assisted Reproduction in other new EU countries, which reveals a dearth of both legislation and guidelines for post-mortem sperm retrieval. If this method becomes more requested in these culturally diverse countries in the future, the situation demands public debate first of all at the national level.
Key words: consent/ethics/law/post-mortem/sperm retrieval