Hum. Reprod. Advance Access originally published online on March 5, 2008
Human Reproduction 2008 23(4):772-774; doi:10.1093/humrep/den037
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ESHRE Task Force on Ethics and Law 14: Equity of access to assisted reproductive technology
Bioethics Institute Ghent, Ghent University, Blandijnberg 2, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
1 Correspondence address. E-mail: guido.pennings{at}ugent.be
Justice and access are among the most urgent questions for medically assisted reproduction. This paper analyses this question not only for people suffering from infertility, but also for people who need assistance to prevent the birth of a child with a specific genetic disorder. Based on the impact of not being able to have a child on the quality of life of a person, the position is defended that infertility treatment should be at least partially reimbursed. Simultaneously, the medical professionals have an obligation towards their patients and the health care system to bring down the costs as far as reasonably possible.
Key words: access/cost reduction/equity/infertility/justice
Submitted on January 11, 2008; resubmitted on January 11, 2008; accepted on January 25, 2008.