[Bioethics and the 21st century, the physician's point of view]

In the field of human procreation, the problems raised by bioethics are multiple and complex. First, there is the request from couples and individuals with regards to the management of procreation, not only the negative requests, be it contraception or abortion, but also the positive requests concerning medically assisted procreation. Then there is the practitioner's response to the request, particularly for assisted procreation. The practitioner is at the heart of conflicting interests between the needs or desires of the patients and the reluctance, legitimate or not, of society, with the implication of a third person, embryo, fetus or newborn. And here again we are confronted with the aims of researchers wishing to obtain information concerning the efficacy, possibilities of application and potential dangers. The legists and magistrates are concerned with the legal status of the embryo and the fetus. However, if the fact of giving a legal status can solve many legal problems, it does not solve the problem of the eventual use of an embryo, and of its interpretation by philosophers and moralists. Moreover, public opinion should not be forgotten, including the attraction of rapid anathema, without recourse. Finally, there is also the role of the legislator who, here again, is confronted with several controversial conceptions.