The place of IVF in infertility care

In vitro fertilization has become standard treatment for infertility without the benefit of thorough evaluation. Today, the effectiveness of IVF is the subject of ongoing debate, the medical and non-medical risks of treatment are not adequately understood, and there is great concern about the true costs of care both for individuals and society. Added to this debate are ethical dilemmas which have changed the way we think about reproductive rights, the family, parenthood, intergenerational responsibilities, and the legal status of children and embryos. In order to address these issues, the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe held a meeting in June 1990 on the Place of In Vitro Fertilization in Infertility Care. The recommendations from the meeting are presented.