What Do Obstetrician/Gynecologists Think About Assisted Reproductive Technologies?
In a nationwide survey of 1800 practicing obstetrician/gynecologists (OB-GYNs), investigators assessed respondents’ views about assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Participants were asked whether they had moral or ethical objections to artificial insemination with husband’s sperm, artificial insemination with donor sperm, in vitro fertilization (IVF) with husband’s and wife’s gametes, and IVF with donor gametes. They were also asked if they would help patients obtain these services. Seven hypothetical scenarios involved patients who were able to pay for treatment and who had specific medical issues; participants were asked whether they would discourage the patient from using ART and whether they would help the patient obtain ART if asked. Fewer than 5% of respondents had moral or ethical objections to ART or IVF, and fewer than 3% would not help patients access these treatments. However, reactions to the hypothetical scenarios varied markedly. For example, for a patient with a 25
