Taskforce 8: Ethics of medically assisted fertility treatment for HIV positive men and women

Abstract

In this 8th statement of the ESHRE Taskforce on Ethics and Law, the focus is on the ethical issues raised by (assisted) reproduction for HIV positive men and women. Due to treatment improvements, their life expectancy has increased substantially. This, in combination with the reduction of perinatal transmission to the child, makes the creation of a family more acceptable. Recommendations are made concerning methods of avoiding HIV transmission in the couple and to their offspring. It is concluded that, if certain precautions are taken, medical assistance to reproduction of HIV positive people is ethically acceptable. For the time being, only cases of serodiscordant couples should be considered. © European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology 2004; all rights reserved.