Legal and ethical challenges in assisted reproductive technology practice in Ghana

Abstract

Objective: Infertility remains a global challenge, with assisted reproductive technology (ART) progressively gaining relevance in developing countries, including Ghana. However, associated ethico-legal challenges have not received the needed policy attention. This study explored the legal and ethical challenges of ART practice in Ghana.Design: The study employed an exploratory phenomenological approach to examine ART in Ghana, focusing on ethics and law governing this practice.Participants: Respondents were ART practitioners, managers, facility owners, representatives of surrogacy/gamete donor agencies, and regulatory body representatives.Methods: A semi-structured interview guide was used to collect data. The in-depth interviews were audiotaped, and responses transcribed for analysis through coding, followed by generation of themes and sub-themes, supported with direct quotes.Results: It emerged that there are no ethical and legal frameworks for ART practice in Ghana, and this adversely affects ART practice. Ethical challenges identified border on informed consent, clients’ privacy and clinical data protection, gamete donation issues, multiple gestations, single parenting, and social and religious issues. The legal challenges identified include the non-existence of a legal regime for regulating ART practice and the absence of a professional body with clear-cut guidelines on ART practice. In the absence of legal and ethical frameworks in Ghana, practitioners intimated they do comply with internationally accepted principles and general ethics in medical practice.Conclusion: There are no regulations on ART in Ghana. Legal and ethical guidelines are essential to the provision ofsafe and successful ART practices to protect providers and users. Governmental efforts to regulate Ghana need to beprioritized.