Health of ARTs babies and the responsibility toward the next generation

Abstract

Health problems have been observed more frequently in multiple and even in singleton ARTs babies than in control populations. A dilemma may arise: The respect of a couple's autonomy may conflict with the responsibility towards the next generation. The objective of this presentation is to re-evaluate the advisability of offering therapy based upon the unconditional respect of the autonomous choice of infertile individuals. The ethical framework for this re-evaluation was that of the principle of responsibility. This principle was applied to the process of decision making. This process involves (a) the couple's choice (respect of autonomy), (b) the medical opinion (the physician's responsibility) and (c) the respect of the embryo as a future child (health problems related to infertility treatment). From this re-evaluation, we conclude that the transfer of several embryos should be avoided in most of the cases, even if it is the couple's choice.