Oocyte Cryopreservation Beyond Cancer: Tools for Ethical Reflection

Overview

Journal J Assist Reprod Genet

Publisher Springer

Specialties Genetics
Reproductive Medicine

Date 2015 Jul 4

PMID 26139157

Citations 5

Authors

Alma Linkeviciute

Fedro A Peccatori

Virginia Sanchini

Giovanni Boniolo

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose: This article offers physicians a tool for structured ethical reflection on challenging situations surrounding oocyte cryopreservation in young healthy women.

Methods: A systematic literature review offers a comprehensive overview of the ethical debate surrounding the practice. Ethical Counseling Methodology (ECM) offers a practical approach for addressing ethical uncertainties. ECM consists of seven steps: (i) case presentation; (ii) analysis of possible implications; (iii) presentation of ethical question(s); (iv) explanation of ethical terms; (v) presentation of the ethical arguments in favor of and against the procedure; (vi) examination of the individual patient's beliefs and wishes; and (vii) conclusive summary.

Results: The most problematic aspects in the ethical debate include the distinction between medical and non-medical use of oocyte cryopreservation, safety and efficiency of the procedure, and marketing practices aimed at healthy women. Female empowerment and enhanced reproductive choices (granted oocyte cryopreservation is a safe and efficient technique) are presented as ethical arguments supporting the practice, while ethical reservations towards oocyte cryopreservation are based on concerns about maternal and fetal safety and wider societal implications.

Conclusions: Oocyte cryopreservation is gaining popularity among healthy reproductive age women. However, despite promised benefits it also involves risks that are not always properly communicated in commercialized settings. ECM offers clinicians a tool for structured ethical analysis taking into consideration a wide range of implications, various ethical standpoints, and patients' perceptions and beliefs.

Citing Articles

Mapping ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) of fertility preservation.

Alon I, Bussod I, Golan O, Ravitsky V J Assist Reprod Genet. 2024; 41(9):2495-2514.

PMID: 39141169 PMC: 11405582. DOI: 10.1007/s10815-024-03210-w.

Caring for Pregnant Patients with Cancer: A Framework for Ethical and Patient-Centred Care.

Linkeviciute A, Canario R, Peccatori F, Dierickx K Cancers (Basel). 2024; 16(2).

PMID: 38275896 PMC: 10813952. DOI: 10.3390/cancers16020455.

Healthcare Professionals' Attitudes and Practice of Sexual Health Care: Preliminary Study for Developing Training Program.

Ahn S, Kim J Front Public Health. 2020; 8:559851.

PMID: 33178658 PMC: 7596252. DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.559851.

NMR metabolomics study of follicular fluid in women with cancer resorting to fertility preservation.

Castiglione Morelli M, Iuliano A, Schettini S, Petruzzi D, Ferri A, Colucci P J Assist Reprod Genet. 2018; 35(11):2063-2070.

PMID: 30069850 PMC: 6240554. DOI: 10.1007/s10815-018-1281-7.

Medical and elective fertility preservation: impact of removal of the experimental label from oocyte cryopreservation.

Schon S, Shapiro M, Gracia C, Senapati S J Assist Reprod Genet. 2017; 34(9):1207-1215.

PMID: 28656539 PMC: 5581786. DOI: 10.1007/s10815-017-0968-5.

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