La procreazione medicalmente assistita tra diritto e clinica: il ruolo del medico

Abstract

In Italy, assisted reproduction is regulated by a variety of sources, the most important being Law 40/2004. The paper discusses how the tight legal framework allocates ample discretion to physicians who play a major role in various aspects of assisted reproduction – namely in implementing a gatekeeping role whenever a couple applies for access to assisted reproduction, in choosing the techniques that better suits the couple, and in performing preimplantation embryo testing aiming to select which embryo (or embryos) is suitable for implantation. The paper also highlights the professional, legal and ethical responsibility of physicians that arises whenever a couple seeks treatment for infertility or sterility.