The use of empirical evidence in formulating reproductive policy advice and policy

The focus of this paper is an analysis and discussion of what kind of empirical evidence bodies that advise on or set public policy in the area of reproduction and reproductive technologies are looking for when developing new advice or policy, but the analysis has implications for other areas of 'bioethics policy making' as well. The paper outlines some important differences between policy making and philosophical analysis, provides an account of 'policy relevance' and discusses ways in which evidence may be misused in policy making. The scope of the paper is, for the most part restricted to considerations of empirical evidence of a social scientific nature.