title: Blurring the line between life and death: a review of the psychological and ethical concerns related to posthumous-assisted reproduction.
abstract: Posthumous-assisted reproduction (PAR), though viewed unfavourably by some, is desirable to many individuals whose partners die prior to the completion of family building. PAR is technically feasible for males and females both pre- and post-mortem and these procedures have previously been completed on numerous occasions. However, such treatment is associated with three primary ethical concerns: autonomy; beneficence; and justice for the living, the deceased, and the soon-to-be conceived. Further, there are many psychological risks of PAR which may affect all involved parties. As such, early psychological counselling of patients and surviving family members is warranted.
authors.affiliation: a Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University , Chicago , IL , USA ;
authors.forename: Angela K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Lawson
authors.affiliation: b Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Clinic, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , University of Wisconsin-Madison , Madison , WI , USA.
authors.forename: Julianne E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Zweifel
authors.affiliation: a Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University , Chicago , IL , USA ;
authors.forename: Susan C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Klock
mesh_terms: D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D026686:Beneficence; D003376:Counseling; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D006117:Grief; D006801:Humans; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D037022:Posthumous Conception / Q000941:ethics* / Q000523:psychology; D020954:Single-Parent Family; D012935:Social Justice; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Counselling; ethics; posthumous reproduction; psychological