Evaluating in vitro fertilization technology in Australia

Following a summary background to the research, development and diffusion of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and related technologies in Australia from 1971 to 1989, two arguments are developed. The first is that what evaluations have so far been done of the safety, efficacy and effectiveness of the techniques used in this country have revealed worrying results. The second suggests that the existing methodologies of technology assessment and ethical control of human experimentation are themselves too limited to meet the recent goal, adopted by the 1988 Australian Health Ministers' Conference, of reducing inequities in health. The discussion offers suggestions for a more comprehensive methodology for the technical, ethical and social evaluation of these (and other) medical and health technologies, derived from recent social science research.