The ethics of in vitro fertilization

Advances in medicine's ability to assist reproduction in those afflicted with infertility raise numerous ethical questions both for potential recipients of the techniques and for society as a whole. Society must decide what level of resources should be committed to the treatment of infertility in light of the fact that many children are not readily placed in adoptive or foster homes and the increasing competition that exists for scarce health care resources. The ethical uncertainty about the moral status of embryos and the moral acceptability of nonstandard techniques of in vitro fertilization raise further troubling questions about the adequacy of consent, committee review, and other protections for the welfare of families. Although it may not yet be appropriate to call for legislation or regulation in this area, there is a very real need to increase professional and public discussion of the ethical and policy questions raised by assisted reproduction.