Social and ethical aspects of in vitro fertilization

In vitro fertilization (IVF) stands out as one of the contemporary period's most extraordinary technologies, and its social and ethical consequences a mong the most far reaching. Despite its uncertain effectiveness and medical consequences, IVF has contributed significantly to the medicalization of i nfertility and the increasingly imperative character of reproductive techno logy. New developments in IVF, particularly oocyte donation, have created n ew definitions of treatable infertility and new social needs for IVF: when the technology does not result in pregnancy or healthy babies, these develo pments have created profound new disappointments. IVF and the commodificati on of the extracorporeal embryo have also confused the social meaning and l egal definition of parenthood. Ultimately the relationship between prospect ive parents, infertility specialists, and the embryos that they create is a highly ambiguous one. This ambiguity is likely to be a long-term character istic of efforts to develop, use, and assess assisted reproductive technolo gies.