IVF Multiple Pregnancies in Japan: Current Status and Future Strategies
Kaori Nishiyama
Volume 7 Issue 1 Pages 35-46
First Published: October 21, 2024
[in Japanese]
Abstract
As assisted reproductive technology (ART) rapidly spreads, various ethical issues arise. This paper focuses on the issue of multiple pregnancies resulting from in vitro fertilization (IVF). In the first part, we discuss how double embryo transfer (DET), which involves transferring multiple embryos back into the mother’s womb, can increase pregnancy rates but also significantly raises the risk of multiple pregnancies, thereby increasing risks for both the mother and the fetus. Particularly, the risks to the fetus tend to be overlooked in favor of the parents’ wishes. Further-more, I propose setting the target for reducing the rate of multiple pregnancies caused by IVF to match the natural occurrence rate. In the second part, we explore specific approaches to achieve this goal by examining cases from countries like Belgium, Sweden, Italy, and Australia. In Japan, instead of enforcing strict legal restrictions on the number of embryos transferred, it is considered more effective to prioritize measures such as strengthening the ac-creditation standards of IVF facilities, clarifying the number of embryos transferred under the insurance system, and ensuring that the guidelines support the legitimacy of facilities appropriately refusing excessive patient demands under the principle of “respect for autonomy.”.
Key words
assisted reproductive technology (ART), in vitro fertilization (IVF), double embryo transfer (DET), single embryo transfer (SET), multiple pregnancy
