| Abstrakt: |
Introduction: On average, about 10-15% of Iranian couples are infertile. One of the modern technologies for treating infertile couples has been embryo donation during the recent decades. Application of this technology is similar to other new medical and biotic equipment have resulted in religious, social, legal and ethical concerns. This article aims to describe, in general and in particular, the moral challenges of embryo donation in Iran so as to come to a summative assessment. Materials and Methods: This study was performed using internet search, reviewing related books, and contacting Islamic legal scholars offices to ask their opinions about the ethics of embryo donation. Results: According to the results, four moral challenges can be raised in relation to embryo donation which imply concurrent changes in the nature of fertility and liberate it from intermediary sexual intercourses. Opponents believe it is an improper intervention which condescends human dignity and would make people who are born this way as second-rate human beings. There are concerns for commercialization of this treatment method as well. In particular, we may also raise other principles including autonomy which, most importantly, requires full conscious consent. The second principle is profitability, which is raised for embryos produced for research. The third principle concerns harm, and asks whether, and to what extent, the embryo recipients are entitles to be assured that the embryo they receive is a natural one. The problem of justice is bound with the third principle and deals with the priorities concerned with the disclosure of information. Along with ethical debates, one of the most contentious debates following embryo donation is principle of confidentiality (for donors and receivers). Another debate is dignity of redundant embryos in infertility treatment processes and the need to reduce embryos in these processes. Conclusion: considering the importance of genetic maintenance in embryo donation, ther have been effective steps in scientific progress with emphases on medical ethics. Shiite legal scholars have expressed their views about new infertility treatment technologies. As embryo donation has obtained legal recognition in Iran, we need to examine its ethical dimensions as well as medical and legal aspects involved in it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
