Cross-border reproductive care: an Ethics Committee opinion

Fertility and Sterility, Ethics Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, 2016

Abstract

Cross-border reproductive care (CBRC) is a growing worldwide phenomenon, raising questions about why assisted reproductive technology (ART) patients travel abroad, what harms and benefits may result, and what duties health-care providers may have in advising and treating patients who travel for reproductive services.

The factors that motivate patients to travel abroad for fertility care are varied, complex and often interrelated. The reasons for CBRC fall into four basic categories:

  • access,
  • cost,
  • regulation,
  • and privacy.

The delivery of CBRC does not invoke a duty to inform or warn patients about the potential legal or practical hazards that may accompany such care.

Cross-border care offers benefits and poses harms to ART stakeholders, including patients, offspring, providers, gamete donors, gestational carriers, and local populations in destination countries.

This document replaces the previous document of the same name, last published in 2013. Take off image by lattefarsan.

SlideShow DES Art

Selected pieces of Art as a response to DES exposure

Regina Holliday - DEStiny a jacket for @cascadia #TheWalkingGallery

DEStiny

Artist Regina Holliday is a medical advocate muralist. She is using paint and brushes to promote health reform and patient’s rights.

Images copyright TwitPic – All rights reserved. DEStiny a jacket for @cascadia #TheWalkingGallery by @ReginaHolliday.

Female Reproductive Histopathology

Artist Penny Oliver says:

My name is Penny Oliver and I am committed to creating artwork that will inspire and reinvigorate you in your practice of medicine. By interpreting and translating anatomic, histologic and diagnostic images, I seek to create art that is both beautiful to the layperson and meaningful to the medical professional. Contact me to see how your work and passion can be transformed into a stunning piece of original art.” – Diagnosis ART, Custom Paintings for the Medical Professional

Images copyright Diagnosis Art – All rights reserved.

Surviving DES

Artist Patricia Ann Wilson says:

The watercolors and drawings, Surviving DES are a response to being a DES baby. My mother was given a drug, diethylstilbestrol, when she was pregnant with me. I have health issues as the result. The women who were given this drug between the 1940’s through the late 1970’s were actually being experimented on by the drug companies. These paintings and drawings, are my positive response to a negative situation. My art is my catharsis.”

Images copyright Patricia Ann Wilson Studio – All rights reserved.

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