Assisted reproduction practice in Europe: legal and ethical aspects

This report describes the ethical and legal aspects of assistedreproductive technologies (ART) that have been instituted inEuropean countries. The data were collected from questionnairescirculated to fertility centres in 39 countries in Europe. Ninetysix ART centres were located in 30 of these countries. Ninecountries do not offer ART services. According to the survey,there are approximately 516 centres in Europe, which representapproximately 60% of the world ART centres. The survey includedinformation regarding regulation of ART services, access tothese services, attitude toward genetic material donation, cryopreservationof pre-embryos, surrogacy, manipulation of gametes and pre-embryos,research on pre-embryos and multiple fetal pregnancy reduction.At present, the majority of countries in Europe do not haveestablished legislation pertaining to the various aspects ofART practice. The study reviews the ethical and legal aspectsof ART practice in Europe.