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Background: Fertility centre websites are a key sources of information on medically assisted reproduction (MAR) for both infertile people and the general public. As part of a global fertility market, they are also a window to attract potential future patients. They give formal and practical information but in the way the information is displayed, they also convey social representations, and in particular, gender representation in its intersectional dimension. The objective is to analyse the sex, class and race representations regarding reproduction and parenthood that are embedded in the content of fertility centre websites in eight European countries. Methods: The 5 most visible fertility centres that appeared in the first places on Internet search were selected for each country under study, except for one country which has only three fertility centres. In total, 38 fertility centre websites were considered for a thematic analysis using an iterative approach and a comprehensive perspective. Results: Each centre details its services and techniques according to the legal provisions in force in its country. However, on all the websites studied, the fertility centres demonstrate a strong gendered representation. The logos generally depict women or parts of their bodies, as do the photos, which mainly show white women with light eyes. The description of the causes of infertility and the techniques offered by the centres also highlights gender differences. Sperm donation, where MAR is reserved for heterosexual couples, is included among the techniques for women with the comment that it will enable them to fulfil their dream of becoming mothers. Conclusions: MAR, and through it the project of having a child and procreative work, is presented as a matter for white, cisgender and heterosexual women, thus fueling stratified reproduction and limiting reproductive justice. The research team formulated guidelines for fertility centres to encourage them to adopt a more inclusive approach in terms of sex, social class and race, so that the diversity of infertile people feel involved and welcome in these centres, to avoid misperceptions about infertility in the general population and to reinforce autonomy and justice in reproductive matters. Plain English summary: Fertility centre websites are a key sources of information on medically assisted reproduction (MAR) for both people undergoing MAR and the general public. As part of a global fertility market, they may also be a window to attract potential future patients. In this context, they convey formal and practical information but also, through their content, narratives and visuals, social representations. The objective is here to analyse the gender representations of reproduction and parenthood that the 38 European fertility centres under study convey through the texts and images they display on their websites. Each centre details its services and techniques according to the social and legal provisions in force in its country. However, on all the websites studied, the fertility centres demonstrate a strong gendered representation, including in terms of social class and race. MAR, and through it the project of having a child and procreative work, is presented as a matter for white, cisgender and heterosexual women, thus fueling stratified reproduction and limiting reproductive justice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical embryologists are highly trained laboratory professionals with multiple roles, including laboratory, clinical, biobanking and quality system management. In most European countries, clinical embryologists are trained to work in Medically Assisted Reproduction (MAR) centres without a specifically dedicated educational path. The criteria required for employment vary according to the educational structure and the public or private nature of the centre. We have herein described the educational profile required by Italian clinical embryologists to work in MAR centres of the National Health System (NHS). Public centres currently represent 36% of all the Italian MAR clinics. According to the Italian law, a future clinical embryologist must achieve a 3–4 year unpaid post-graduate specialization in a different field, choosing from Genetics, Microbiology, Clinical Pathology or Nutrition. Accesses to the above-mentioned post-graduate courses are themselves very limited. Clinical embryologists are basically trained by senior colleagues. This situation makes inevitably difficult to recruit laboratory staff in NHS centres. Moreover, it represents an emblematic example of the need for an equal training curriculum, possibly ensuring a comparable education quality, mobility of trainees and dissemination of skills for clinical embryologists all over Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Τhe methods of medically assisted reproduction (MAR) are being widely applied all over the world ever since the birth of Louise Brown, the first child conceived after in vitro fertilization (IVF) of a human oocyte and subsequent transfer into the uterus of the ensuing embryo. The possible risks associated with the application of the different MAR methods have given rise to a debate concerning the necessity of a regulatory framework regarding the application of these methods especially in view of the crucial and ambiguous legal and ethical issues attached. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Question: What are the current national medically assisted reproduction (MAR) data collection systems across EU Member States, and how can these countries contribute to a unique, cycle-by-cycle registry for the European Monitoring of Medically Assisted Reproduction (EuMAR) project?, Summary Answer: The study identified significant variation in MAR data collection practices across Member States, with differences in data types, collection methods, and reporting requirements; the EuMAR project emerges as an opportunity to enhance data standardization and improve MAR data collection in the EU., What Is Known Already: There is a need for new approaches in MAR data collection that include long-term and cross border follow-up. The EuMAR project intends to establish a unified, cycle-by-cycle registry of data on MAR treatments in EU countries, from which accurate cumulative outcomes can be calculated., Study Design, Size, Duration: This cross-sectional study involved a survey and interviews with stakeholders from 26 EU Member States conducted in 2023 over a period of seven months., Participants/materials, Setting, Methods: Representatives from national competent authorities and professional associations involved in MAR data collection in EU countries were invited to complete the survey and interviewed to assess current data flows, information requirements, and their interest in the EuMAR project., Main Results and the Role of Chance: Half of the participating countries reported having a national MAR registry with cycle-by-cycle data (n = 13), while 31% reported having a national registry with aggregated data (n = 8) and 19% reported having no national registry (n = 5). Of the countries with a national cycle-by-cycle registry, eight countries collect identifiable data, five countries collect pseudonymized data, and one country collects fully anonymized data. Informed consent is required in 10 countries. The main advantages that participants expected from a European registry like EuMAR were the possibility of obtaining national statistics in the absence of a national registry and improving the calculation of cumulative outcomes., Limitations, Reasons for Caution: The results of the study are based on self-reported data, which may be subject to bias, however, the validity of the collected information was verified with different means, including follow-up calls for clarifications and sharing final transcript reports. The feasibility of the proposed data flow models will be tested in a pilot study., Wider Implications of the Findings: Despite the heterogeneity of data collection practices across EU countries, the results show that stakeholders have high expectations of the benefits that the EuMAR registry can bring, namely the improvement of data consistency, cross-border comparability, and cumulative live birth rates, leading to better information for patients, health care providers and policy makers., Study Funding/competing Interest(s): The EuMAR project was co-founded by ESHRE and the European Commission (101079865-EuMAR-EU4H-2021-PJ2). No competing interests were declared., Trial Registration Number: N/A., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology.)

Determined in 1994, the legal framework for medically assisted reproduction has barely evolved since. French legislation is among the strictest in Europe. Sweeping changes are planned for the next review of the law on bioethics which should be put to a vote in 2020. The current ban on surrogacy should however remain in place., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

This Task Force document discusses ethical issues arising with requests for medically assisted reproduction from people in what may be called 'non-standard' situations and relationships. The document stresses that categorically denying access to any of these groups cannot be reconciled with a human rights perspective. If there are concerns about the implications of assisted reproduction on the wellbeing of any of the persons involved, including the future child, a surrogate mother or the applicants themselves, these concerns have to be considered in the light of the available scientific evidence. When doing so it is important to avoid the use of double standards. More research is needed into the psychosocial implications of raising children in non-standard situations, especially with regard to single women, male homosexual couples and transsexual people., (© The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)