[Attitudes toward oocyte donation and surrogate motherhood are strongly influenced by own experiences].
The aim of the study was to find out the attitudes of different groups towards technologies which are prohibited by the German Embryo Protection Law. We evaluated by using a questionnaire, in how far oocyte donation and surrogate motherhood were accepted in Germany in different groups of the population. 34 infertile patients, 74 patients who asked for preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PID), 29 women, who had finished family planning, and 59 medical students were asked for their opinion in a standardized and closed questionnaire. Overall the different groups, especially medical students, were very critical towards oocyte donation and surrogate motherhood. However, to help another couple to conceive a child 68.6 % of PID patients, 62.1 % of infertile patients, 43.2 % of women with finished family planning, and 47.6 % of students were prepared to donate oocytes. On the other hand, only 40.9 %, 40.0 %, 25.9 %, and 13.2 % of PID patients, infertile patients, women with finished family planning and medical students, respectively, would accept oocyte donation for themselves. Regarding surrogate motherhood, the PID group and students were strictly against the idea to be a surrogate mother by themselves. Members of the infertile group as well as those women with finished family planning were more indifferent regarding this question. Students and women with finished family planning, however, would prefer adoption, whilst PID- and infertility groups are more indifferent. Men are more positive towards both techniques as compared to women. As compared to known data from other countries, the acceptance of oocyte donation in all groups and surrogate motherhood is comparable to other European countries, when only PID patients and infertile patients are respected. The other two groups are more critical against surrogate motherhood. To conclude, it becomes apparent how opinions regarding these techniques are influenced by the own situation and experiences.
Klinik für Frauenheilkunde und Geburtshilfe, Universitätsklinikum Lübeck, Medizinische Universität zu Lübeck, Luebeck.
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Schröder
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Diedrich
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Ludwig
D000300:Adoption; D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female; D018587:Oocyte Donation / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012016:Reference Values; D013533:Gestational Carriers / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires