Case Studies in the Ethics of Assisted Reproduction

This book evaluates some of the most common ethical issues confronted by reproductive endocrinologists, embryologists, and their teams. The authors apply core ethical principles and approaches to problem solving to each of the cases raised. This work is a guide for both those on the front lines of patient care as well as for students in the field, whatever their background. By outlining sample cases, the book is an instigator for ethical discussions among ethicists, medical practitioners and students.

Louise P. King, MD, JD, is an Assistant Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology at Harvard Medical School and a Surgeon within the Division of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Dr. King completed her juris doctorate at Tulane Law School before attending medical school at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. She completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Parkland Hospital in Dallas Texas and her fellowship in Minimally Invasive Surgery with Dr. Camran Nezhat at Stanford University. Her areas of interest in medical ethics focus on questions of surgery, informed decision making and assisted reproduction.

Isabelle C. Band, BA, is currently a third year medical student at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York. Throughout her time at Mount Sinai, Ms. Band has published and presented research in the fields of bioethics, reproductive endocrinology and maternal fetal medicine. She leads the Medical Ethics Student Organization and teaches a bioethics course for medical students. Ms. Band graduated from Harvard College, cum laude with highest honors in History of Science. She wrote her undergraduate thesis on the history of in vitro fertilization in Boston. Her interests include the history and ethics of assisted reproductive technologies.