[Typologies and arguments about the use of assisted reproductive technologies among people living in Santiago, Chile].

BACKGROUND

Assisted reproductive technologies still generate debate about ethical moral and religious issues.

AIM

To analyze the opinions of the general public about the use of assisted reproduction technology (ART).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This analysis used the information gathered in a survey about human reproduction and modern reproduction technologies applied to a random sample of 1,500 volunteers aged 18 to 65 years, living in Santiago, Chile. Also, data from 25 structured interviews and six focal groups of eight participants each was used. To typify opinions concerning the use of assisted reproductive technologies (ART), a multiple correspondence analysis was undertaken.

RESULTS

People that support ART are non-religious young people of medium-high socioeconomic level. The arguments most commonly used by people to justify their positions about ART are the right to have children, the protection of kinship, that ART implies commercialization and manipulation of human life, the need to obey God's will, and the autonomy of informed and educated adults.

CONCLUSIONS

The study allows us to understand in more complex ways the positions about ART. Chile does not have a legislation that regulates the use of ART. Generating information on the public opinion about these techniques we hope to contribute to the debate about the access and regulation of new reproductive technologies in Chile.