541 Available online at www.medicinescience.org ORIGINAL RESEARCH Medicine Science 2017;6(3):541-5 The perspective of health professionals on the factor of 3rd persons in assisted reproductive techniques Yesim Aksoy Derya 1 , Tuba Ucar 1 , Sermin Timur Tashan 2 1 Inonu University Faculty of Health Sciences Department of Midwifery, Malatya, Turkey 2 Inonu University Faculty of Health Sciences Department of Nursing, Malatya, Turkey Received 02 December 2017; Accepted 29 March 2017 Available online 12.04.2017 with doi: 10.5455/medscience.2017.06.8617 Abstract This study was planned with the aim of determining the perspective of health professionals on the factor of 3rd persons in assisted reproductive therapy techniques. The study, which is cross-sectional and descriptive, was conducted at a university hospital in the province of Malatya between the dates April and June 2016. After a power analysis, the sample size was determined as 405 health professionals. In the statistical analysis of the data, the study used means, standard deviations and percentage distributions. Among the participants with the mean age of 2.77371, 62.7% were women and 83.5% were nurses. 27.2% stated that legal permission should be provided in assisted reproduction for oocyte donation with a 3rd person, surrogacy and sperm banks. On the other hand, 50.4% of the participants stated that they may recommend their patients other countries for operations that concern 3rd persons. It was found that the reason participants did not find these techniques appropriate was morals/ethics for 69.6% and religious reasons for 77.3%. 39.7% of the participants stated that, in a case where the only choice left for having a child is assisted reproductive methods that require a 3rd person, they would accept infertility and do nothing. The ratio of people who stated they would accept treatment was 19%. Among the participants who said they would accept treatment, 83.1% would absolutely choose someone they do not know. Additionally, 52.3% stated that they would not want themselves or their spouses become donors. Consequently, only 27.2% of health professionals stated that assisted reproductive techniques with 3rd persons should be legal. On the other hand, 50.4% stated they may forward their patients to other countries for these methods. It was seen that health professionals experienced a dilemma regarding this subject especially on grounds of morals/ethics and religious concerns. Keywords: Oocyte donation, health professionals, sperm bank, surrogate motherhood, 3rd persons in assisted reproductive techniques Introduction The ever-changing fields of work related to reproductive medicine lead to an emergence of various treatment options regarding assisted reproduction [1,2]. These diverse treatment options remove obstacles between individuals and having children [3]. New developments include surrogacy by a women or usage of oocytes or sperm by donation for couples who cannot get pregnant with natural methods [1,2]. There are different ways of legislation around the world regarding assisted reproductive techniques with third person. According to the 2013 data of the Center for Disease Control, oocyte donation was used in approximately 10.5% of all assisted reproduction techniques used in the United States of America [4]. Canada does not legally allow oocyte donation, but couples who have IVF are allowed to willingly donate a part of their embryos [5]. While oocyte donation is allowed in Denmark, number of voluntary donors is insufficient [6]. In France, sperm and oocyte donation is seen as donation to the human body, just as blood and organ donations [7]. On the other hand, the United States allows oocyte donation in exchange for a fee [5]. Surrogacy is allowed in the United Kingdom with the condition that it is non-commercial, and the surrogate mother may be the baby’s mother genetically, or just gestationally [2]. Other countries where surrogacy is legal are; India, Australia, Greece, Israel and the United States [8]. In countries where assisted reproductive treatments with 3rd persons are legal, these operations are inspected by comprehensive medical policies. Especially because these methods are highly risky regarding genetically transmitted diseases and contagions, it is compulsory that male and female candidates undergo the required genetic and serologic tests to become donors [9]. Assisted reproductive techniques with a third person were banned for the first time in Turkey with the “Legislation Regarding Assisted Reproduction Treatment Centers” published in 1987 in the Official Gazette issue 19551. In the following years, various regulations were made in the legislation in parallel to the developments in assisted reproduction techniques. Finally, with the “Legislation Regarding Assisted Reproductive Treatment Applications and Assisted Reproduction Treatment Centers” in 2014, it was stated that it is prohibited to use donors, obtain embryos using donors, use embryos obtained using oocyte and sperms taken from candidates on other candidates, or use those taken from non-candidates on candidates. Additionally, in the case of finding a center and/or center personnel that take part in conduct such as patient referral, encouragement and mediation regarding operations with third persons as in violation of the legislation, activities of the center are suspended for three months, and the license/operating permission of the center is canceled in case of repeated violation [10]. Additionally, individuals who want to have children may have children with various methods without complying with legal procedures [3]. This situation with an increasing tendency in the Turkish society is among the most interesting subjects within bioethics [11]. This study was conducted with the aim of finding out the perspective of health professionals on assisted reproductive techniques with third persons. *Coresponding Author: Yeşim Aksoy Derya, Inonu University Faculty of Health Sciences Department of Midwifery, Malatya, Turkey E-mail: yesim.aksoy@inonu.edu.tr Medicine Science International Medical Journal