Opinions of infertile Turkish women on gamete donation and gestational surrogacy

Fertil Steril. 2008 Apr;89(4):817-22. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2007.04.022.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the approval levels of infertile Turkish women concerning gamete donation and gestational surrogacy.

Design: Opinion survey.

Setting: Assisted reproductive treatment center at Gulhane Military Medical Academy.

Patient(s): 368 women who had applied for infertility treatment.

Intervention(s): The patients were asked to answer a questionnaire that included questions about the patient's sociodemographic status, previous medical history with infertility treatment, and opinions on gamete donation and gestational surrogacy.

Main outcome measure(s): Opinions of patients concerning gamete donation and gestational surrogacy.

Result(s): Our data in this first study on infertile Turkish women show that some patients approve of gamete donation (23.3% for accepting oocytes and 3.4% for accepting sperm) and gestational surrogacy (15.1%).

Conclusion(s): Donation and surrogacy are alternate treatments for the serious condition called infertility. As there are patients who would like to use these treatments, each of these patients should have the right to try any of them.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cultural Characteristics
  • Directed Tissue Donation* / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Female
  • Government Regulation
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Health Policy
  • Health Services Accessibility
  • Humans
  • Infertility, Female / psychology
  • Infertility, Female / therapy*
  • Oocyte Donation* / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Oocyte Donation* / psychology
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care*
  • Patient Rights
  • Pregnancy
  • Surrogate Mothers* / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Surrogate Mothers* / psychology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Turkey