Towards the responsible clinical implementation of stem cell-based fertility treatments

Reproductive medicine has been criticized for introducing innovative techniques without sufficient consideration of their effectiveness, safety and broader societal consequences. Researchers are currently creating oocytes or spermatozoa by manipulating stem cells with the aim of curing fertility problems. So far these ‘stem cell-based fertility treatments’ have resulted in the birth of animal offspring and in the development of human oocytes and spermatozoa. Stem cell-based fertility treatments will have fundamental societal consequences as they will increase the number and type of individuals who can become genetic parents.
To contribute to a responsible clinical implementation process of stem cell-based fertility treatment, we studied the views of gynaecologists, patients, and the general public on: ‘indications’, ‘treatment characteristics’, ‘societal consequences’, and ‘appropriate decision-makers on clinical implementation’.
The majority of gynaecologists and the general public supported using stem cell-based fertility treatments for treating heterosexual couples of reproductive age with (fe)male fertility problems, single women with female infertility, and same-sex couples.
The most important treatment characteristics to patients were safety and pregnancy rates, however both gynaecologists and patients take account of additional treatment characteristics. Patients prefer genetic over non-genetic parenthood, but genetic parenthood is less important to them than safety and pregnancy rates.
A total of 51 potential positive and negative consequences of stem cell-based fertility treatments were identified.
Gynecologists, patients and the general public wanted a national bioethics committee to set up regulation containing at least some potential negative consequences of stem cell-based fertility treatments.