6. Ethical issues related to multiple pregnancies in medically assisted procreation

Abstract

In this sixth statement of the ESHRE Task Force on Ethics and Law, the focus is on the ethical issues raised by multiple pregnancies resulting iatrogenically from the use of medically assisted procreation. The incidence of multiple pregnancies and the consequences for the child are discussed, together with general and specific ethical issues. Four recommendations are made—single embryo transfer, public funding for assisted reproduction, multiple pregnancies reported as complications not successes, and a uniform method of presenting results.