About ASRM Home Page ASRM Annual Meeting ASRM Office of Public Affairs Contact Us ... Site Awards For All Users Headline News Cloning and Stem Cell Research ASRM Literature Links to Prof. Orgs. ... Downloading PDF Files Selected ASRM Publications: Fertility and Sterility Menopausal Medicine ASRM News Practice Guidelines ... ASRM Bulletins For Patients Home FAQ - Infertility FAQ - Psychology Patient Fact Sheets ... Find a Doctor For Professionals Home Upcoming Meetings Membership (Services, Benefits, Sign-Up) Members-Only Area ... Research Grants For the Media Home Press Releases ASRM Office of Public Affairs The Use Of Fetal Oocytes In Assisted Reproduction Some researchers have suggested that fetuses eventually might be used as a source for oocytes in oocyte donation programs (1,2). One variant is to remove oocytes from the ovaries of aborted fetuses, mature them in vitro, and use them as donor oocytes for couples who need eggs as part of their IVF effort. A second variant is to remove ovaries from aborted fetuses and transplant them in women who lack ovarian function so the transplanted tissue eventually will contribute to the woman's normal reproductive cycle. Although at present the use of fetal oocytes for conception is hypothetical and speculative, its endorsement by some researchers and its critique by government-sponsored commissions make timely a discussion of its ethical dimensions (3,4). The argument for using fetal oocytes, if this use were feasible, is first to help meet demand for oocyte donation and second to avoid risks and complications for adult donors. Oocytes presently are obtained from women who donate extra oocytes from their own IVF attempts; patients who agree to donate incidental to hysterectomy or other abdominal surgery; and friends, relatives, or women unknown to the recipient who donate oocytes following hormonal hyperstimulation and oocyte retrieval. Many clinicians maintain these methods have not been sufficient to meet demand; moreover, each has limitations. For example, hormonally stimulating anonymous donors presents physical risks, is potentially exploitative, and adds to the costs of assisted reproduction. Maturing oocytes in vitro from fetal ovaries could create an abundant source of oocytes and it could reduce the costs of oocyte donation. | |
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