Current regulatory arrangements for assisted conception treatment in European countries.
Infertility is a condition affecting an increasing number of individuals all over the world. In recent years, this phenomenon has spread across both western countries and developing countries, thus developing the features of a pandemic. For this reason, the World Health Organization (WHO) acknowledged that infertility should be considered a disease to all intents and purposes, as it diminishes the health and wellbeing of the individuals who suffers from it. At present, the most effective means to contain the spread of infertility are essentially prevention and Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART). With reference to the latter, although most of these techniques are routinely used in the majority of countries, they are still subject to medical, ethical and political debates. There are huge variations noted when the regulatory legislation adopted by different countries to govern infertility treatment in various countries all over the world are reviewed. In fact, it has to be recognized that ART legislation depends on a variety of factors, such as social structure, political choices, ethical issues and religious beliefs. This makes it apparently impossible to create a standard regulation for different countries, especially in case of controversial issues like gamete and embryo donation, embryo cryopreservation or surrogacy.
S.I.S.Me.R. Reproductive Medicine Unit, Bologna, Italy; Past Chairman of ESHRE. Electronic address: luca.gianaroli@sismer.it.
Luca
L
Gianaroli
S.I.S.Me.R. Reproductive Medicine Unit, Bologna, Italy.
Anna Pia
AP
Ferraretti
S.I.S.Me.R. Reproductive Medicine Unit, Bologna, Italy.
Maria Cristina
MC
Magli
S.I.S.Me.R. Reproductive Medicine Unit, Bologna, Italy.
Serena
S
Sgargi
D000328:Adult; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000941:ethics; D004477:Ectogenesis / Q000941:ethics; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000941:ethics; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D019456:Health Transition; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000628:therapy*; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000628:therapy*; D007883:Legislation, Medical; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D012067:Religion; D046269:Reproductive Rights / Q000193:education / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards; D013533:Gestational Carriers; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D014944:World Health Organization
Access to treatments; Assisted conception treatments; Cross border reproductive care; IVF legislation