Ethics Opinions

Embryos created during cycles of in vitro fertilization (IVF) that are not intended for immediate transfer are often frozen for future use. Ethical concerns arise regarding who has authority to make decisions about stored embryos and what kinds of choices they may ethically make. Under no circumstances should physicians participate in the sale of stored embryos.

In light of the physical risks of somatic cell nuclear transfer, ongoing moral debate about the status of the human embryos, and concerns about the impact of reproductive cloning on cloned children, families, and communities, reproductive cloning is not endorsed by the medical profession. Should reproductive cloning at some point be introduced into medical practice, however, any child produced by reproductive cloning would be entitled to the same rights, freedoms, and protections as every other individual in society.