Access, Equity and Ethical Challenges in Assisted Reproductive Technologies in India: An Empirical Bioethics Analysis

Area of Science:

• Bioethics
• Reproductive Health
• Health Policy

Background:

• Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) are expanding in India.
• Ethical and distributive justice concerns regarding ART accessibility, affordability, and governance are significant.
• Limited empirical data exists on public perceptions of ART access and equity in India.

Purpose of the Study:

• To empirically analyze public perceptions of ART accessibility and governance in India.
• To investigate perceived equity barriers and ethical considerations within ART services.
• To address the gap in understanding public views on reproductive healthcare governance.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional survey of 560 respondents from urban, semi-urban, and rural settings.
• Utilized a structured questionnaire for data collection.
• Employed descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, correlation analysis, and one-way ANOVA for data analysis.

Main Results:

• Significant geographic disparities in ART access were found; urban respondents had greater access than semi-urban and rural respondents (F=35.040, p<0.001).
• Moderate levels of public awareness and trust in ART regulation were observed.
• Lower perceptions of access and greater perceived equity barriers were reported by respondents.

Conclusions:

• Structural inequalities continue to influence reproductive healthcare accessibility in India.
• Policy interventions are needed to enhance equitable access to ART.
• There is a need for improved institutional accountability and inclusive reproductive healthcare governance.