Ethical issues associated with advanced paternal age and genetic disorders in their offspring

Abstract

Nowadays, couples postpone parenthood into their fourth or fifth decade of life due to different reasons such as economic situation and industrialization. Several studies have shown disadvantages of advanced maternal age and its effects on offspring health. However, there are few studies concerning effects of advanced paternal age (APA) on offspring health. Hence, appropriate progress has not been made in genetic counseling of this issue. Some scientists believe that advanced age doesn’t have detrimental effects on semen parameters, but majority of scientists are of the opinion that semen parameters such as volume, count, morphology and motility will decrease with increasing age. Moreover, it has been revealed that APA is in close relationship with incidence of some diseases such as Achondroplasia, congenital malformations, Autism, Schizophrenia and some cancers in infants. Based on the quadruplet ethical principles, the right of aged parents is conserved for childbearing, but genetic counseling along with conservation of parents’ autonomy would be useful to healthy childbearing.