Infertility and the new reproductive technology: a role for social work.

Infertility affects 1 in 6 couples in the United States during their childbearing years. The causes are sociological, medical and environmental. The new reproductive technology such as in-vitro fertilization and the alternatives to biological parenting such as surrogate motherhood raise legal and ethical issues as they raise the hopes of those couples previously unable to have a baby. As expectations have risen and treatment options become more complex, the social worker has become an essential member of the treatment team.