Absolute uterine factor infertility is the final hurdle for assisted reproductive treatments. Uterus transplant trials are happening worldwide; to advance the debate around uterine transplantation (UTx), this article considers selection criteria for clinical trials from a UK perspective and makes recommendations for future selection criteria for UTx treatment. Recommendations advanced include the use of donor eggs, access for single women and women in same‐sex relationships, prohibiting participation of women who are already mothers, and a preference for deceased donors and bioengineered uteri. With UTx treatment on the horizon, it is important to proactively consider future selection criteria. Tweetable abstract Review of UK selection criteria for clinical trials for uterus transplantation; recommendations for the future.
SummaryThe Report of the Committee of Inquiry into Human Fertilisation and Embryology, the Warnock Report, forms the basis of the UK legislation on embryo research and its influence continues to be felt even though over thirty years have passed since its publication. The Warnock Committee was the first of its kind to consider how the advancements in human fertilisation and embryology should be regulated. This article examines the evidence submitted to the Warnock Committee, upon which its members ultimately reached their conclusions. With on--going debate as to the status of the human embryo, it is important to recognise that the legislative position, which is based on the recommendations of the Warnock Committee, is one that was reached after extensive consultation and consideration of submitted evidence. This article considers the differing ethical viewpoints that were expressed by organisations both prior and post publication of the Warnock Report, and how the Committee used that evidence to reach their conclusions, and ultimately calls for a new Warnock--style committee.
Uterus Transplantation (UTx) is an experimental vascular composite allograft designed to provide women with absolute uterine factor infertility with the opportunity to gestate and give birth to their future offspring. The number of UTx procedures performed worldwide now stands at ≥70 and as the number of cases performed increases so too does the volume of potential data that may be gathered to inform the development, practice and regulation of UTx. Given the value of this data, and the challenges associated with keeping track of cases and outcomes where data remains unpublished and/or scattered, scientists and academics conducting research into UTx have increasingly called for the swift creation, implementation and management of an international registry for Uterus Transplantation (IRUTx). This article explores and provides practical guidance regarding the potential benefits the IRUTx may provide to stakeholders, as well as the legal and ethical challenges that its creation may pose in terms of dataset design, consent, privacy, researcher compliance and governance.
Uterus transplantation (UTx) offers women with absolute uterine factor infertility the option to gestate and birth their own biologically related child. The first birth following living donation UTx happened in 2014. The first birth following deceased donation happened in December 2017, with further successes since. Interest in deceased donation UTx is increasing. The authors established a database to track UTx clinical trials and outcomes. Utilising this database and existing literature, this article reviews the first reported cases of deceased donation UTx and outcomes, and drawing upon comparisons with living donor UTx, comments upon the future for this area of reproductive transplantation research. This is the first article to bring together the literature on deceased donation UTx procedures and outcomes.
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