1. Conflicts of interest in Australia's IVF industry: an empirical analysis and call for action
- Author
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Christopher Mayes, Brette Blakely, Wendy Lipworth, Jane Williams, and Ian Kerridge
- Subjects
Reproductive Techniques, Assisted ,Health Care Sector ,030209 endocrinology & metabolism ,Convenience sample ,Reproductive technology ,Profit (economics) ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Humans ,Sociology ,Empirical evidence ,Funding ,030219 obstetrics & reproductive medicine ,Artificial reproductive techniques ,business.industry ,Conflict of Interest ,Conflict of interest ,Australia ,Obstetrics and Gynecology ,General Medicine ,Public relations ,2201 Applied ethics ,1117 Public Health and Health Sciences ,Reproductive Medicine ,Law ,Criticism ,business - Abstract
In Australia, the growing assisted reproductive technologies (ART) industry has recently received some public criticism. Much of this criticism centres on the concern that doctors are increasingly motivated by profit, rather than patient interests. These concerns appear to suggest that the growing business of ART generates conflicts of interest (COI) for clinicians. While media reports may be rhetorically compelling, claims that ART practice is distorted by COI must be supported by empirical evidence. This preliminary study sought to engage with people involved with the ART industry and map out their concerns related to COI in ART. A small convenience sample of eight professionals was interviewed. Here, we present the major themes uncovered, including a richer understanding of the 'interests' of various parties involved in Australian ART. We then propose a strategy for how this topic could be constructively explored.
- Published
- 2017