Abstract
Approximately one million Americans are infected with human immunode.ciency virus type 1 (HIV- 1). Most of them are young heterosexual adults of reproductive age. Many desire to have children. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has dramatically altered the clinical course of this disease. As a result of HAART the general health and life expectancy of HIV-1 seropositive men is much improved. Assisted reproductive techniques that separate motile sperm from seminal plasma and non motile cells known to harbor virus has been offered as a means of reducing viral transmission to the uninfected female desiring to become pregnant. Although this treatment has been available in Europe for more than a decade, very few centers in the United States provide HIV-1 serodiscordant couples options for reproductive care. In light of mounting evidence of the safety of treatment, and fueled by an increasing demand for reproductive services by HIV-1 serodiscordant couples, the Center for Women’s Reproductive Care at Columbia University established a program for addressing their needs. Major ethical principles related to autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, and justice were individually considered in deciding to proceed with treatment.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 31 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Journal | American Journal of Bioethics |
| Volume | 3 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Dec 2003 |
| Externally published | Yes |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Issues, ethics and legal aspects
- Health Policy
Keywords
- HIV-1 serodiscordant ICSI assisted reproduction sperm washing ethics in vitro fertilization