Australian IVF clinics given warning over “rewards” scheme

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Australian IVF clinics have been warned about "inducement" schemes after an international egg bank proposed a "rewards" program. While the international company now says it won't be implemented the offer sparked significant concern within the sector.

Transcript

00:00Companies offer award programs for everything from groceries to flights and makeup.

00:08But what about for donor eggs?

00:10That's what one international company proposed to Australian IVF clinics last month.

00:16The ABC has seen an email from the US-based World Egg and Sperm Bank to companies

00:21saying it was introducing its new Client Success Reward Program in Australia.

00:26And clinics could now earn credits that offset or even fully cover the cost of donor eggs.

00:32Those in the sector are concerned.

00:35The fertility industry's peak body advised all its members to exercise caution.

00:40And the chair of the IVF Medical Directors Group has warned clinics to seek ethical and legal advice.

00:47Bioethics experts say it is complex.

00:50I can see the argument for something like this,

00:53particularly if these cost savings are passed on to patients.

00:56However, I do think a program like this does raise some serious ethical considerations,

01:01particularly around financial or commercial involvement in reproductive medicine.

01:06She says a loyalty program could create conflicts of interest,

01:10risk clinical decision making or treat reproduction as a commodity.

01:14This really risked reducing the moral significance of procreation and building families.

01:21And this would have some wide-ranging effects on all parties involved,

01:25but particularly donor-conceived people.

01:27When contacted by the ABC, the World Egg and Sperm Bank said it had outlined a concept,

01:32but it wouldn't be implemented.

01:34And it was committed to meeting the highest standards of ethics and regulatory compliance.

01:39Not troubled as well, but it helped change the proper compliance.

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