title: Assisted reproduction: Ethical and legal issues.
abstract: Since inception, the use of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) has been accompanied by ethical, legal, and societal controversies. Guidelines have been developed to address many of these concerns; however, the rapid evolution of ART requires their frequent re-evaluation. We review the literature on ethical and legal aspects of ART, highlighting some of the most visible and challenging topics. Of specific interest are: reporting of ART procedures and outcomes; accessibility to ART procedures; issues related to fertility preservation, preimplantation genetic testing, gamete and embryo donation, and reproductive outcomes after embryo transfer. Improvements in ART reporting are needed nationally and worldwide. Reporting should include outcomes that enable patients to make informed decisions. Improving access to ART and optimizing long-term reproductive outcomes, while taking into account the legal and ethical consequences, are challenges that need to be addressed by the entire community of individuals involved in ART with the assistance of bioethicists, legal counselors, and members of society in general.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Lutherville, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Londra
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Lutherville, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wallach
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Lutherville, MD, USA. Electronic address: yzhao1@jhmi.edu.
authors.forename: Yulian
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhao
mesh_terms: D001675:Bioethics; D006801:Humans; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted / Q000941:ethics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*
keywords: Assisted reproductive technologies; Biomedical ethics; In-vitro fertilization; Legal aspects; Reproductive medicine