Fertility treatment when the prognosis is very poor or futile: an Ethics Committee opinion.

Abstract

The Ethics Committee recommends that in vitro fertilization centers develop patient-centered policies regarding requests for futile treatment. In most cases, clear communication can avoid a direct confiict, but clinicians ethically may refuse to provide treatment believed to be futile or to carry a very poor prognosis. In certain instances, clinicians may provide limited treatment, which they judge likely to be futile, but must be vigilant in their presentation of risks, benefits, and alternatives. This version replaces the previously published draft of this name last published in 2019.