Introduction:
Contemporary biotechnologies stand to transform conceptions and practices of reproduction. One such emerging stem cell-based technology is in vitro gametogenesis (IVG). The aim of IVG is to create germ cells – eggs and sperm in their mature form – outside of the body. The ethical, legal, and social implications of IVG require careful anticipatory analysis. IVG research confers a new urgency to the work of devising an ethical framework for the use of reproductive cells and embryos in research, while its possible future clinical applications also raise novel questions of justice and access, particularly in populations traditionally underserved by assisted reproduction. Comparing and contrasting IVG with more established areas of stem cell research and reproductive biotechnologies, this workshop seeks to map this new domain and its challenges. Convening an interdisciplinary group of reproductive health scholars including bioethicists, social scientists and stem cell biologists, this meeting brings multiple perspectives to bear on this area of emerging medical technology. A more cohesive scholarly dialog and collaborative platform around IVG will thereby be established, laying the groundwork for robust public and policy debates around how to responsibly integrate these scientific developments into our reproductive futures.
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