ETHICAL ASPECTS OF ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN

Abstract

Due to an increase in life expectancy, certain social determinants and recent medical advances more and more women are choosing to conceive later in their lives using assisted reproductive technology (ART). Although for many years a physiological reproductive age limited the possibilities for pregnancy and labour, the latest technological discoveries enable even post-menopausal women to experience motherhood. This in turn has sparked debates on the ethical and moral aspects of equal access to ART for post-menopausal women. Some of the arguments discussed in literature raise awareness of possible pregnancy and labour complications, question the well-being of future children, debate the ethics of resource distribution, ageism and sexism while also highlighting one of the core human rights to reproductive autonomy.