Cross‐border reprogenetic services

Abstract

The purpose of this review is to synthesize the current knowledge on the international movement of patients and biopsied embryo cells for pre-implantation genetic diagnosis and its different applications. Thus far, few attempts have been made to identify the specific nature of this phenomenon called 'cross-border reprogenetic services'. There is scattered evidence, both empirical and speculative, suggesting that these services raise major issues in terms of service provision, risks for patients and the children-to-come, the legal liabilities of physicians, as well as social justice. To compile this evidence, this review uses the narrative overview protocol combined with thematic analysis. Five major themes have emerged from the literature at the conjunction of cross-border treatments and reprogenetics: 'scope', 'scale', 'motivations', 'concerns', and 'governance'. Similar themes have already been observed in the case of other medical tourism activities, but this review highlights their singularity with reprogenetic services. It emphasizes the diagnostic and autologous feature of reprogenetics, the constant risk of misdiagnosis, the restriction on certain tests for medically controversial conditions, and the uncertain accessibility of genetic counseling in cross-border settings.

Health and Wellness–Related Travel: A Scoping Study of the Literature in 2010-2018

“…For example, Pereira et al (2018) have mapped the literature on complications and epidemiological issues affecting those who travel abroad for cosmetic surgery. Couture et al (2015) have reviewed the literature on cross-border reproduction and specifically reprogenetic services, referred to as the “movement of patients and biopsied embryo cells for pre-implantation genetic diagnosis and its different applications” (Couture et al, 2015, p. 1), and have thematized existing research according to five themes: scope, scale, motivations, concerns, and governance. Overall, the emphasis of the specialized health care category was on qualitative and theoretical investigations and the conceptualization of end-user experiences and motivations related to travel for biomedical purposes.…”

“…In terms of the end users involved in specialized health care abroad, in this body of literature (Brophy, 2017; Couture et al, 2015; Ferraretti et al, 2010; Hudson et al, 2016; Prasad, 2015; Richards, 2017; van Balen et al, 2016; Winter et al, 2016) it was typical to refer to “patients” or to people in general terms related to the treatment or procedure in question. Thus, conceptually, the figure of the “tourist” was not at all common or unquestioned in the accounts of this type of mobility.…”

Implementation Guidelines for Mass Customization: A Researcher-Oriented View

“…Inductive analysis "refers to approaches that primarily use detailed readings of raw data to derive concepts, themes, or a model through interpretations made from the raw data by an evaluator or researcher," with a primary purpose "to allow research findings to emerge from the frequent, dominant, or significant themes inherent in raw data, without the restraints imposed by structured methodologies" [28, p.238]. This absence of preconceptions in the analysis of scientific contributions is one of the reasons why in recent years inductive analysis has been gaining significance as a data analysis strategy in systematic literature reviews [29][30][31][32][33]. Table 3.…”

Cross border reproductive care (CBRC): a growing global phenomenon with multidimensional implications (a systematic and critical review)

“…Various groups may seek fertility treatments in CBRC, such as infertile couples, single, gay, or transgender people and even patients of advanced age. The main reasons for CBRC are legal restrictions and high costs in home countries, as well as quality of care concerns (e.g., success rates, long waits, iatrogenesis), and sociocultural considerations (e.g., desires for privacy and linguistic and cultural familiarity) [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10].…”