Differences between sperm sharing and egg sharing are morally relevant

2022 ◽  
pp. medethics-2021-107887
Author(s):  
Nathan Hodson
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Research ◽  
Ethical Analysis ◽  
In Vitro Fertilisation ◽  
Regulatory Oversight ◽  
Donor Sperm ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Human Fertilisation ◽  
Ethical Rationale ◽  
The Uk

Sperm sharing arrangements involve a man (‘the sharer’) allowing his sperm to be used by people seeking donor sperm (‘the recipients’) in exchange for reduced price in vitro fertilisation. Clinics in the UK have offered egg sharing since the 1990s and the arrangement has been subjected to regulatory oversight and significant ethical analysis. By contrast, until now no published ethical or empirical research has analysed sperm sharing. Moreover the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) does not record the number of sperm sharing arrangements taking place.This paper describes the sperm sharing process providing an analysis of all the UK clinics advertising sperm sharing services. The ethical rationale for egg sharing is described: reducing the number of women exposed to the risks of stimulation and retrieval. This advantage is absent in sperm sharing where donation has no physical drawbacks. The key adverse social and emotional outcome of gamete sharing arises when the sharer’s own treatment is unsuccessful and the recipient’s is successful. This outcome is more likely in sperm sharing than in egg sharing given sperm from sharers can be used by up to 10 families whereas shared eggs only go to one other family.Given its morally relevant differences from egg sharing, sperm sharing requires its own ethical analysis. The HFEA should begin recording sperm sharing arrangements in order to enable meaningful ethical and policy scrutiny.

The Discriminatory Legal Barrier of Partner Consent in Victorian ART Law: EHT18 v Melbourne IVF

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 509-518
Author(s):  
Michelle M Taylor-Sands
Keyword(s):  
Sex Discrimination ◽  
Federal Court ◽  
In Vitro Fertilisation ◽  
Donor Sperm ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Treatment ◽  
Victorian Art ◽  
Independent Review ◽  
Single Judge ◽  
Equity Of Access

Abstract In September 2018, the Federal Court of Australia found that a Victorian woman did not need her estranged husband’s consent to undergo in vitro fertilisation treatment (IVF) using donor sperm. The woman, who was 45 years of age, made an urgent application to the Court for permission to undergo IVF using donor sperm. In a single judge ruling, Griffiths J held that the requirement in the Assisted Reproductive Treatment Act 2008 (Vic) (‘ART Act’) for a married woman to obtain the consent of her husband discriminated against the woman in question on the basis of her marital status in contravention of the Commonwealth Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) (‘SD Act’). His Honour declared the Victorian law in this instance ‘invalid and inoperable’ by operation of section 109 of the Commonwealth Constitution to the extent it was inconsistent with the Commonwealth law. Although the declarations by the Federal Court were limited in their terms to the circumstances of the case, the judgment raises broader issues about equity of access to assisted reproductive treatment (ART) in Victoria. The issue of partner consent as a barrier to access to ART was specifically raised by an independent review of the ART Act in Victoria. The Victorian Government released an interim report late last year as a first stage of the review, which canvasses some options for reform. This raises a broader question as to whether prescriptive legislation imposing detailed access requirements for ART is necessary or even helpful.

Pituitary hyperplasia with Sertoli cell-only and 47,XYY syndromes: an uncommon triad

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. e233100
Author(s):  
Amelle Geurim Ra ◽  
Paul Jeffrey Evans ◽  
Anshu Awasthi ◽  
Upendram Srinivas-Shankar
Keyword(s):  
Sertoli Cell ◽  
Semen Analysis ◽  
Follicle Stimulating Hormone ◽  
Testicular Biopsy ◽  
In Vitro Fertilisation ◽  
Donor Sperm ◽  
Healthy Baby ◽  
Pituitary Hyperplasia ◽  
History Of

We report the case history of a 32-year-old man with no phenotypical abnormalities who presented with infertility. Semen analysis revealed azoospermia and testicular biopsy confirmed Sertoli cell-only (SCO) syndrome. Karyotyping revealed 47,XYY and pituitary hyperplasia was found on MRI pituitary. In our patient, 47,XYY karyotype is likely to have given rise to SCO syndrome that in turn resulted in pituitary hyperplasia. The patient was evaluated by various members of the multidisciplinary team including the pituitary surgeon, endocrinologist and andrologist. The patient’s partner successfully delivered a healthy baby via in vitro fertilisation with donor sperm. This triad of diagnoses (SCO syndrome, 47,XYY karyotype and pituitary hyperplasia) has not been reported previously. SCO syndrome should be considered in the presence of azoospermia, elevated follicle-stimulating hormone, low inhibin-B and normal testosterone levels. Our case report also highlights the importance of excluding genetic causes of infertility even when the patient has no phenotypical abnormalities.

scholarly journals Why Are the Proportions of In-Vitro Fertilisation Interventions for Same Sex Female Couples Increasing?

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1657
Author(s):  
Catherine Meads ◽  
Laura-Rose Thorogood ◽  
Katy Lindemann ◽  
Susan Bewley
Keyword(s):  
In Vitro Fertilisation ◽  
Donor Insemination ◽  
Same Sex ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Human Fertilization ◽  
Frozen Semen ◽  
First Choice ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Uk

Same-sex female couples who wish to become pregnant can choose donor insemination or in-vitro fertilization (IVF)—a technique intended for infertile women. In general, women in same-sex female partnerships are no more likely to be infertile than those in opposite sex partnerships. This article investigates data available from the Government Regulator of UK fertility clinics—the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority, which is the only data available worldwide on same-sex female couples and their fertility choices. IVF is increasing both in absolute numbers and relative proportions year on year in the UK, compared to licensed donor insemination for same-sex female couples. As IVF has greater human and financial costs than donor insemination, policies should not encourage it as the first choice for fertile women requiring sperm. Commercial transactions are taking place where fertile lesbians receive cut price, and arguably unnecessary, IVF intervention in exchange for selling their eggs to be used for other infertile customers. If women are not told about the efficacy of fresh vs. frozen semen, and the risks of egg ‘sharing’ or intra-couple donation, exploitation becomes possible.

scholarly journals Pre-implantation genetic testing for aneuploidy: motivations, concerns, and perceptions in a UK population

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin P. Jones ◽  
Timothy Bracewell-Milnes ◽  
Lorraine Kasaven ◽  
Ariadne L’Heveder ◽  
Megan Spearman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Testing ◽  
Successful Outcome ◽  
In Vitro Fertilisation ◽  
Motivating Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Perceptions And Attitudes ◽  
Fertility Clinic ◽  
The Uk

Abstract Purpose Pre-implantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (PGT-A) is a technique used as part of in vitro fertilisation to improve outcomes. Despite the upward trend in women utilising PGT-A, data on women’s motivations and concerns toward using the technology, and perceptions having undergone the process, remain scarce. Methods This cross-sectional survey, based at a fertility clinic in the UK, utilised an electronic questionnaire to assess the motivations of women who undergo PGT-A and their perceptions and attitudes toward PGT-A after using it. Results One hundred sixty-one women responded. The most significant motivating factors to undergo PGT-A were to improve the probability of having a baby per cycle (9.0 ± 2.1) and enhance the chance of implantation (8.8 ± 2.5). The least important motivations were reducing the number of embryos transferred per cycle (2.7 ± 3.3) and saving money by reducing the number of procedures required (4.6 ± 3.4). The most significant concerning factors identified included not having embryos to transfer (5.7 ± 3.4) and the potential for embryo damage (5.2 ± 3.3). The least concerning factors included religious (0.6 ± 1.7) or moral (1 ± 2.2) concerns. The majority of women were satisfied/very satisfied following treatment (n = 109; 68%). The proportion of those who were satisfied/very satisfied increased to 94.2% (n = 81) following a successful outcome, and reduced to 43.5% (n = 27) in those who had an unsuccessful outcome or had not undergone embryo transfer (p < 0.001). Conclusion This study highlights that perceptions amongst women who use PGT-A are mostly positive. We also demonstrate a significant association between satisfaction and reproductive outcomes, with those who achieve a live birth reporting more positive perceptions toward PGT-A.

scholarly journals The Accordion and the Deep Bowl of Spaghetti: Eight Researchers' Experiences of Using IPA as a Methodology

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Wagstaff ◽  
Hyeseung Jeong ◽  
Maeve Nolan ◽  
Tony Wilson ◽  
Julie Tweedlie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Child Protection ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
In Vitro Fertilisation ◽  
Mental Health Nursing ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The Uk

Since 1996 Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) has grown rapidly and been applied in areas outside its initial “home” of health psychology. However, explorations of its application from a researcher's perspective are scarce. This paper provides reflections on the experiences of eight individual researchers using IPA in diverse disciplinary fields and cultures. The research studies were conducted in the USA, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and the UK by researchers with backgrounds in business management, consumer behaviour, mental health nursing, nurse education, applied linguistics, clinical psychology, health and education. They variously explored media awareness, employee commitment, disengagement from mental health services, in-vitro fertilisation treatment, student nurses' experience of child protection, second language acquisition in a university context, the male experience of spinal cord injury and academics experience of working in higher education and women’s experiences of body size and health practices. By bringing together intercultural, interdisciplinary experiences of using IPA, the paper discusses perceived strengths and weaknesses of IPA.

scholarly journals National Survey Highlights the Urgent Need for Standardisation of Embryo Transfer Techniques in the UK

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (13) ◽  
pp. 2839
Author(s):  
Lewis Nancarrow ◽  
Nicola Tempest ◽  
Andrew J. Drakeley ◽  
Roy Homburg ◽  
Richard Russell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Embryo Transfer ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Uterine Cavity ◽  
In Vitro Fertilisation ◽  
Success Rates ◽  
Electronic Survey ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Survey Responses

Embryo transfer (ET) is one of the vital steps in the in vitro fertilisation (IVF) process, yet there is wide variation in ET technique throughout the UK, without a nationally approved standardised approach. The aim of this study was to gain contemporaneous information regarding the current clinical ET practice in the UK. Method: A 38-question electronic survey was distributed to the 79 UK Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) registered clinics performing ETs. Results: In total, 59% (47/79) of units responded, 83% (39/47) performing ultrasound-guided transfers, with 42% (20/47) of units using a tenaculum; 22% (10/45) would proceed with transfer regardless of fluid in the endometrial cavity. In 91% (43/47) of units, embryos were deposited in the upper/middle portion of the uterine cavity, but interpretation of this area ranged from 0.5 to >2 cm from the fundus, with 68% (32/47) allowing patients to mobilise immediately after transfer. In 60% (27/45) of clinics, success rates were based on clinical pregnancy rates (CPR). Conclusion: Within the UK there is a wide range of variability in ET techniques, with >70% of discordance in survey-responses between clinics. Whilst there are areas of good practice, some disadvantageous techniques continue to persist. This survey emphasises the importance of developing a standardised, evidence-based approach to improve ET success rates.

scholarly journals VALUE study: a protocol for a qualitative semi-structured interview study of IVF add-ons use by patients, clinicians and embryologists in the UK and Australia

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. e047307
Author(s):  
Sarah C Armstrong ◽  
Sarah Lensen ◽  
Emily Vaughan ◽  
Elaine Wainwright ◽  
Michelle Peate ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Randomised Trial ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
In Vitro Fertilisation ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Traffic Light ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Media Channels

IntroductionFor couples undergoing assisted reproduction, a plethora of adjuncts are available; these are known as ‘add-ons’. Most add-ons are not supported by good quality randomised trial evidence of efficacy, with some proven to be ineffective. However, estimates suggest that over 70% of fertility clinics provide at least one add-on, often at extra cost to the patient. This study has three aims. First, to undertake a survey of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) clinics in the UK to ascertain which add-ons are being offered and at what cost. Second, to undertake qualitative semi-structured interviews of patients, clinicians and embryologists, to explore their opinions and beliefs surrounding add-ons. Third, to review the interpretation of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority traffic light system, to better understand the information required by IVF patients, clinicians and embryologists when making decisions about add-ons.Methods and analysisAll UK IVF clinics will be contacted by email and invited to complete an online survey. The survey will ask them which add-ons they offer, at what cost per cycle and how information is shared with patients. Semi-structured interviews will be conducted in the UK and Australia with three groups of participants: (i) fertility patients; (ii) clinicians and (iii) embryologists. Participants for the interviews will be recruited via social media channels, website adverts, email and snowball sampling. Up to 20 participants will be recruited for each group in each country. Following an online consent process, interviews will be conducted via video-conferencing software, transcribed verbatim and data subjected to inductive thematic analysis.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval has been granted by the Universities of Sheffield, Bath Spa and Melbourne. Findings will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and disseminated to regulatory bodies in the UK and Australia. A lay summary of findings will be shared via Fertility Network, UK.

scholarly journals Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome on the Acute Medical Unit: A problem-based review

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-27
Author(s):  
Rebeca Carter ◽  
◽  
Kyle Petrie ◽  
Ashkan Sadighi ◽  
Hannah Skene ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
In Vitro Fertilisation ◽  
Ovarian Hyperstimulation ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Acute Medical Unit ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Acute Care Services ◽  
The Uk

Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) is a spectrum of clinical features typically resulting from assisted conception techniques. With 2.35% of all live births in the UK resulting from in-vitro fertilisation (IVF), OHSS is on the rise. Moreover, there has been an increase in the presentation of its complications to GP surgeries and unscheduled acute care services nationwide. This review will discuss signs and symptoms of the increasingly common and potentially fatal complications of OHSS, namely pleural effusion, ascites and thromboembolic events. With such propensity toward critical, life-threatening events it is not only prudent to recognise the population at risk, but also to be aware of the signs, symptoms and complications to expedite treatment and ensure optimum outcome.

scholarly journals Could Seeking Human Germline Genome Editing Force Journeys of Transnational Care?

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 184
Author(s):  
Amarpreet Kaur
Keyword(s):  
Genome Editing ◽  
In Vitro Fertilisation ◽  
Gender Inequalities ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Data Set ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Public Survey ◽  
Final Data ◽  
The Uk

The scope and use of in vitro fertilisation (IVF), a technology which inherently presents gender inequalities, and its platform applications differ across countries according to respective legislation and regulation (Inhorn, 2015). Using the context of human germline genome editing (hGGE) as a framework, this article will explore and discuss whether differences in legislation and regulation across countries force individuals/couples to seek transnational care to fulfil their reproductive desires. This article will primarily focus on regulation and practices in the United Kingdom (UK) and use these as a comparative to regulation and practices in other countries. The primary research upon which this article is based was conducted in the UK between 1st March 2018 – 31st October 2019. The research consisted of a largely qualitative, online public survey with a final data set of 521 respondents, semi-structured interviews with 11 experts/professionals who were/are involved in the scope of hGGE in the UK, and semi-structured/interactive interviews with 21 people affected by a respective range of genetic conditions. The findings reveal that 65.64% of respondents were supportive of people utilising transnational care to achieve their reproductive desires in relation to hGGE and that 76.39% felt they should not be prosecuted if they do.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document