Having a child to save a sibling: reassessing risks and benefits of creating stem cell donors.
This manuscript assesses the risks, benefits, and ethical concerns regarding the use of assisted reproductive techniques (ART) to create a new donor for stem cell transplantation. We address ethical literature, the medical and psychosocial impact on patient, donor, family, and medical caregivers, and the appropriate decision-making process. We conclude that the use of ART to create a stem cell donor can be ethically acceptable. The decision to conceive a donor has medical and psychosocial implications. The family is the appropriate decision-maker and must consider risks and benefits to all parties with input from medical caregivers.
Morgan
Elaine R
ER
Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Children's Memorial Hospital, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA. emorgan@northwestern.edu
Girod
Jennifer
J
Rinehart
John S
JS
D000025:Abortion, Eugenic / Q000941:ethics; D000328:Adult; D002676:Child, Unwanted / Q000523:psychology; D036101:Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000523:psychology; D003657:Decision Making; D019924:Embryo Disposition / Q000941:ethics; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000941:ethics; D005192:Family Health; D005193:Family Planning Services / Q000941:ethics*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000941:ethics; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000523:psychology; D006806:Human Rights; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010819:Physician's Role; D019836:Preimplantation Diagnosis / Q000941:ethics; D002666:Psychology, Child; D012306:Risk; D018570:Risk Assessment; D035781:Siblings / Q000523:psychology; D020458:Third-Party Consent / Q000941:ethics; D014019:Tissue Donors / Q000941:ethics* / Q000523:psychology / Q000600:supply & distribution; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement / Q000941:ethics* / Q000379:methods