The decision-making process for the fate of frozen embryos by Japanese infertile women: a qualitative study

BMC Medical Ethics

Research Article

Toshihiro Fujiwara¹  Osamu Tsutsumi¹  Akira Akabayashi²  Misao Fujita²  Akihisa Fujimoto³  Yuji Taketani³  Tetsu Yano³  Shizuko Takahashi⁴ 

[1] Reproduction Center, International University of Health and Welfare, Graduate School, 1-3-3, Minami Aoyama, 107-0062, Tokyo, Minato, Japan;The Department of Biomedical Ethics, The University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Medicine, 3-1 Bunkyo-ku, 113-0033, Tokyo, Hongo, Japan;The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Tokyo School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Bunkyo-ku, 113-0033, Tokyo, Hongo, Japan;The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Tokyo School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Bunkyo-ku, 113-0033, Tokyo, Hongo, Japan;The Department of Biomedical Ethics, The University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Medicine, 3-1 Bunkyo-ku, 113-0033, Tokyo, Hongo, Japan;

关键词: Infertility;    Male Partner;    Assisted Reproductive Technology;    Child Support;    Freeze Embryo;   

DOI  :  10.1186/1472-6939-13-9

 received in 2011-04-07, accepted in 2012-05-20,  发布年份 2012

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundPrevious studies have found that the decision-making process for stored unused frozen embryos involves much emotional burden influenced by socio-cultural factors. This study aims to ascertain how Japanese patients make a decision on the fate of their frozen embryos: whether to continue storage discard or donate to research.MethodsTen Japanese women who continued storage, 5 who discarded and 16 who donated to research were recruited from our infertility clinic. Tape-recorded interviews were transcribed and analyzed for emergent themes.ResultsA model of patients’ decision-making processes for the fate of frozen embryos was developed, with a common emergent theme, “coming to terms with infertility” resulting in either acceptance or postponing acceptance of their infertility. The model consisted of 5 steps: 1) the embryo-transfer moratorium was sustained, 2) the “Mottainai”- embryo and having another child were considered; 3) cost reasonability was taken into account; 4) partner’s opinion was confirmed to finally decide whether to continue or discontinue storage. Those discontinuing, then contemplated 5): the effect of donation. Great emotional conflict was expressed in the theme, steps 2, 4, and 5.ConclusionsPatients’ 5 step decision-making process for the fate of frozen embryos was profoundly affected by various Japanese cultural values and moral standards. At the end of their decision, patients used culturally inherent values and standards to come to terms with their infertility. While there is much philosophical discussion on the moral status of the embryo worldwide, this study, with actual views of patients who own them, will make a significant contribution to empirical ethics from the practical viewpoint.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Takahashi et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2012