Biomedical ethical analysis of patients’ perspectives on posthumous reproduction in a gynecology and obstetrics clinic
Abstract Background This study explores the perspectives of patients attending a gynecology and obstetrics clinic in Türkiye regarding posthumous reproduction from a biomedical ethics standpoint. To examine the bioethical issues about the subject related surviving spouses and potential children may...
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| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-07-01
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| Series: | BMC Medical Ethics |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-025-01256-8 |
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| author | Arif Hüdai Köken Özlem Kara Nebahat İnce Mustafa Kara |
| author_facet | Arif Hüdai Köken Özlem Kara Nebahat İnce Mustafa Kara |
| author_sort | Arif Hüdai Köken |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background This study explores the perspectives of patients attending a gynecology and obstetrics clinic in Türkiye regarding posthumous reproduction from a biomedical ethics standpoint. To examine the bioethical issues about the subject related surviving spouses and potential children may face. Methods A cross-sectional and descriptive survey was conducted between May 1, 2023, and August 1, 2023. A total of 200 women visiting the Kırşehir Ahi Evran University Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinic participated in face-to-face interviews. The survey comprised 20 questions aimed at evaluating participants' views on posthumous reproduction. Data were analyzed using SPSS 25 software, and the Chi-square test was applied, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results Of the participants, 59.5% opposed a woman having a child using a preserved embryo after her husband’s death, while 75.5% disapproved of a man having a child through a surrogate after his wife's death. Additionally, 55% supported a woman's reproductive rights in such cases, whereas 57% objected to a man exercising the same right. Concerns about the potential negative impact on children ranged from 50% to 57.5%. The majority believed that posthumous reproduction should only be ethically permissible if the deceased had provided explicit consent beforehand. Conclusion Findings indicate that perspectives on posthumous reproduction are influenced by social, cultural, and ethical considerations. Turkish society generally maintains a reserved and critical stance on this issue, with stronger opposition to male surrogacy. The ethical and legal implications of posthumous reproduction highlight the need for legal regulations and public awareness initiatives. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d66ddac16c9941d2871f139b05be0fc5 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1472-6939 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Medical Ethics |
| spelling | doaj-art-d66ddac16c9941d2871f139b05be0fc52025-08-20T03:43:36ZengBMCBMC Medical Ethics1472-69392025-07-0126111210.1186/s12910-025-01256-8Biomedical ethical analysis of patients’ perspectives on posthumous reproduction in a gynecology and obstetrics clinicArif Hüdai Köken0Özlem Kara1Nebahat İnce2Mustafa Kara3Faculty of Medicine, History of Medicine and Ethics Department, Kırşehir Ahi Evran UniversityFaculty of Medicine, Histology and Embriyology Department, Kırşehir Ahi Evran UniversityFaculty of Medicine, Histology and Embriyology Department, Kırşehir Ahi Evran UniversityFaculty of Medicine, Gynecology and Obstertics Department, Kırşehir Ahi Evran UniversityAbstract Background This study explores the perspectives of patients attending a gynecology and obstetrics clinic in Türkiye regarding posthumous reproduction from a biomedical ethics standpoint. To examine the bioethical issues about the subject related surviving spouses and potential children may face. Methods A cross-sectional and descriptive survey was conducted between May 1, 2023, and August 1, 2023. A total of 200 women visiting the Kırşehir Ahi Evran University Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinic participated in face-to-face interviews. The survey comprised 20 questions aimed at evaluating participants' views on posthumous reproduction. Data were analyzed using SPSS 25 software, and the Chi-square test was applied, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results Of the participants, 59.5% opposed a woman having a child using a preserved embryo after her husband’s death, while 75.5% disapproved of a man having a child through a surrogate after his wife's death. Additionally, 55% supported a woman's reproductive rights in such cases, whereas 57% objected to a man exercising the same right. Concerns about the potential negative impact on children ranged from 50% to 57.5%. The majority believed that posthumous reproduction should only be ethically permissible if the deceased had provided explicit consent beforehand. Conclusion Findings indicate that perspectives on posthumous reproduction are influenced by social, cultural, and ethical considerations. Turkish society generally maintains a reserved and critical stance on this issue, with stronger opposition to male surrogacy. The ethical and legal implications of posthumous reproduction highlight the need for legal regulations and public awareness initiatives.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-025-01256-8Posthumous reproductionReproductive rightsSurrogacyMedical ethicsBiomedical ethics |
| spellingShingle | Arif Hüdai Köken Özlem Kara Nebahat İnce Mustafa Kara Biomedical ethical analysis of patients’ perspectives on posthumous reproduction in a gynecology and obstetrics clinic BMC Medical Ethics Posthumous reproduction Reproductive rights Surrogacy Medical ethics Biomedical ethics |
| title | Biomedical ethical analysis of patients’ perspectives on posthumous reproduction in a gynecology and obstetrics clinic |
| title_full | Biomedical ethical analysis of patients’ perspectives on posthumous reproduction in a gynecology and obstetrics clinic |
| title_fullStr | Biomedical ethical analysis of patients’ perspectives on posthumous reproduction in a gynecology and obstetrics clinic |
| title_full_unstemmed | Biomedical ethical analysis of patients’ perspectives on posthumous reproduction in a gynecology and obstetrics clinic |
| title_short | Biomedical ethical analysis of patients’ perspectives on posthumous reproduction in a gynecology and obstetrics clinic |
| title_sort | biomedical ethical analysis of patients perspectives on posthumous reproduction in a gynecology and obstetrics clinic |
| topic | Posthumous reproduction Reproductive rights Surrogacy Medical ethics Biomedical ethics |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-025-01256-8 |
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