Journal of Reproduction & Infertility

Journal of Reproduction & Infertility

Embryo Donation in Iranian Legal System: A Critical Review

Authors
Zohreh Behjati Ardakani 1
Mohammad Taghi Karoubi 2
Ali Reza Milanifar 1
Roudabeh Masrouri 1
Mohammad Mehdi Akhondi 1
1 Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
2 Department of law, Science and Culture University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Recent developments and newly-discovered methods for infertility treatment including in vitro fertilization and third party reproduction raise many questions and challenges with different ethical, legal, sociological and psychological dimensions. In Islamic countries, despite great developments in using this technology, the questions concerned with recognition of IVF methods and third party reproduction and legalization of this method are still the challenging ones. The approach of a few Shiite clerics to this issue has facilitated the legalisation of infertility treatment in Iran. The Iranian Parliament, with reference to Shiite clerics’ opinions (Fatwa), enacted the Act concerning Embryo Donation to Infertile Couples and its bylaw which can be considered as a successful example of legalization of third party reproduction in an Islamic country. The aforementioned Act permits embryo donation through artificial insemination from legally married couples to infertile couples. However, many of the legal aspects of this event are not specified in this Act and in many cases it added several uncertainties. This uncertainty, especially regarding the rights and duties of recipients and the child, causes important problems which generate more concerns. This article aimed to review the advantages and flaws of the Act. It is believed that the enactment of the aforementioned Act is an important step but an insufficient measure in this field. Important issues have been left unanswered and unclear in this Act which should be considered by legislators in any future revision of it.
Keywords
Embryo Donation
Infertility treatment
Islamic law
legislation
Third party reproduction
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Journal of Reproduction & Infertility
Volume 16, Issue 3
Summer 2015
Pages 130-137