Fasouliotis S J, Schenker J G
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hadassah University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.
Hum Reprod Update. 1999 Jan-Feb;5(1):26-39. doi: 10.1093/humupd/5.1.26.
In-vitro fertilization (IVF) and assisted reproductive techniques have become common practice in many countries today, regulated by established legislation, regulations or by committee-set ethical standards. The rapid evolution and progress of these techniques have revealed certain social issues that have to be addressed. The traditional heterosexual couple, nowadays, is not considered by many as the only 'IVF appropriate patient' since deviations from this pattern (single mother, lesbians) have also gained access to these treatments. Genetic material donation, age limitation, selective embryo reduction, preimplantation genetic diagnosis, surrogacy and cloning are interpreted differently in the various countries, as their definition and application are influenced by social factors, religion and law. Financial and emotional stresses are also often described in infertile couples. Information as deduced from the world literature regarding IVF regulation, as well as about the existing religious, cultural and social behaviours towards these new technologies, is presented in this article in relation to the social aspects of assisted reproduction.
体外受精（IVF）及辅助生殖技术如今在许多国家已成为常见的医疗手段，受既定的法律法规或委员会制定的伦理标准监管。这些技术的迅速发展和进步揭示了一些必须加以解决的社会问题。如今，许多人并不认为传统的异性恋夫妇是唯一“适合接受体外受精的患者”，因为偏离这种模式的情况（单身母亲、女同性恋者）也能够获得这些治疗。各国对基因物质捐赠、年龄限制、选择性减胎、植入前基因诊断、代孕和克隆的解读各不相同，因为它们的定义和应用受到社会因素、宗教和法律的影响。不孕夫妇也常常面临经济和情感压力。本文结合辅助生殖的社会层面，介绍了从世界文献中推断出的有关体外受精监管以及对这些新技术的现有宗教、文化和社会行为的信息。
