Legal and Ethical Aspects of Female Reproduction

The practice of assisted reproductive technology (“ART”) carries with it significant legal and ethical challenges, particularly in the area of third party reproduction. Because the physician's role will include treating both his/her patient (the intended parent(s)) and the “third party patient” (the gamete provider or surrogate), the physician should be aware of the potential for conflicting desires about medical treatment (i.e., an intended parent may desire a triplet pregnancy, while the surrogate may prefer to reduce). In addition, unlike other areas of medicine, the purpose of reproductive technology is to create a child, raising issues of disclosure and the rights of donor conceived offspring.