Bioethics Committees on the new reproductive technologies

Abstract

The public debate conceming ethical aspects of new reproductive technologies was initiated by the same scientists who have been involved in the research in this field. Then, since the mid-70s the committee (or commission) mode has emerged as an extremely important method for both ethical analysis and public policy making in this field of bioethics. The author first reviews several national Ethics Committees statements on new reproductive technologies taking into consideration three main points: a) clinical in vitro fertilization issues; b) surrogate mothering issues; c) human embryo research issues. He then considers some guide-lines on the practice of Bioethics Committees in the assisted procreation services. Finally, he expresses the wish that some publicly accepted standard operative procedures be established requiring that Bioethics Committees give a rational account of their decisions.