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. 2020 Feb;37(2):257-262.
doi: 10.1007/s10815-019-01649-w. Epub 2019 Dec 17.

Is it time to establish age restrictions in ART?

Julianne E Zweifel  1 , Julia T Woodward  2 , Robert W Rebar  3 , Mark V Sauer  4
Affiliations

Is it time to establish age restrictions in ART?

Julianne E Zweifel et al. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2020 Feb.

Abstract

Providers specializing in reproductive medicine are treating increasing numbers of women pursuing parenthood in their 40s, 50s, and beyond. The rise in later-life parenting can be linked to factors ranging from the advent of assisted reproductive technologies and donor oocytes to the highly publicized pregnancies of older celebrities. We explore the medical and psychosocial implications of this trend for both older parents and their children. We also discuss ethical arguments regarding older parents' access to fertility care, existing professional guidelines, and both public and provider opinions about setting age limits for fertility treatment. Finally, we share preliminary considerations of whether age policies should be established, applied to men as well as women, and standardized or considered on a case-by-case basis.

Keywords: Age limits; Age restrictions; Ethics; Parental age; Third-party reproduction.

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