Pathways toward the future: points to consider for oncofertility oversight.

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• Bioethics
• Oncology

Background:

• The Oncofertility Consortium (OFC) was funded by a 5-year NIH grant (2007-2012) to address psychological, legal, social, and ethical issues in oncofertility.
• The project integrated interdisciplinary scholarship, including law, bioethics, and economics, to examine these complex issues.
• The grant's conclusion necessitates a review of the ongoing ethical considerations in fertility preservation for cancer patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the ethical, legal, and social issues identified during the Oncofertility Consortium's 5-year grant period.
• To propose recommendations for an oversight mechanism for the emerging field of oncofertility.
• To advocate for continued discussion and clarification of oncofertility's implications.

Main Methods:

• The commentary was drafted from notes of a colloquium held in fall 2011 discussing oncofertility oversight.
• The draft was circulated among researchers involved in the OFC's ethical, legal, and social issues working group.
• A review of published and gray literature on fertility preservation for cancer patients informed the final commentary.

Main Results:

• Several key considerations for the future of oncofertility research and practice were identified.
• Two specific suggestions for establishing an oversight mechanism for ongoing oncofertility research were developed.

Conclusions:

• There is a critical need for guidelines and oversight for the clinical practice and technological scope of oncofertility.
• An oversight mechanism is essential to protect cancer patients' rights, prevent abuses, and clarify healthcare professionals' duties.
• Establishing a permanent oversight body will ensure thoughtful guidance for the careful development of oncofertility, supporting individuals' family-building goals disrupted by cancer.