Fertility technology (2008-2009)

Technology becomes increasingly important for lots of couples longing for a baby, also during and after pregnancy. This area of technology offers lots of points of interest for policymakers: the psychological impact of fertility treatments (see the book “De verdwaalde ooievaar. Als zwanger worden niet meteen lukt”, written by I. Rossaert for VZW De verdwaalde ooievaar, 2008 - in Dutch), reasons to postpone the first pregnancy, medical tourism in our country, the high cost of numerous medical consultations during pregnancy, the health care expenditure, the impact of fertility treatments on the number of premature births, the shift in the threshold of viability and the issue of the alternatives for the use of technology. People have very diverging opinions about the various societal consequences of technology intervening in the process from planning a child to giving birth and this gives rise to a quite emotional debate.
That is why the IST commissioned an outline survey of the societal aspects of technology entering the field of pregnancy, birth and wanting/having children. The study is based on a literature search and interviews with ‘practice experts’ who went through a highly technological fertility treatment as well as specialists who discuss policy-relevant aspects.

After the publication of the study, the IST organized a “Round Table” on the subject and during this meeting experts, stakeholders and “ practice experts” reflected about possible policy recommendations. The conclusions of this meeting were elaborated into policy recommendations and were presented to the Welfare Committee of the Flemish Parliament.

Project leader: Els VandenCruyce