Is it ethically justifiable to cryopreserve oocytes and ovarian tissues of healthy women not facing premature ovarian failure, but seeking to extend their biological clocks?
Recent advances in oocyte and ovarian tissue cryopreservation technology have not only brought hope to women facing premature loss of ovarian function; it can also be utilized for healthy women seeking to extend their biological clocks. This is a major issue of contention in healthcare ethics. Proponents of this new technology argue that this enables women to fully pursue educational and career goals in their youth, whilst upon reaching middle age they would have more financial resources for their offspring. Nevertheless, this argument is flawed by the reality that even if the cryopreservation of oocytes and ovarian tissue were optimized, this would in no way be a guaranteed route for women to have biological children later in life. Moreover, because only a limited amount of autologous reproductive material can be cryopreserved and stored for a single healthy woman, there is a risk of material depletion before reproductive success is attained. Another prime consideration is the increased morbidity and mortality associated with clinical assisted reproduction in older women. Hence, it is suggested that the cryopreservation and storage of oocytes and ovarian tissues be restricted only to women facing the prospect of premature ovarian failure.
Heng
Boon Chin
BC
National University of Singapore, Singapore. denhenga@nus.edu.sg
D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging; D001675:Bioethics; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000941:ethics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009865:Oocytes; D010053:Ovary; D016649:Primary Ovarian Insufficiency; D012099:Reproductive Techniques / Q000009:adverse effects