Reproductive Tourism in Argentina: Clinic Accreditation and Its Implications for Consumers, Health Professionals and Policy Makers

Abstract

(224 words)A subcategory of medical tourism, reproductive tourism has been the subject of much public and policy debate in recent years. Specific concerns include the exploitation of individuals and communities, access to needed health care services, fair allocation of limited resources, and the quality and safety of services provided by private clinics. To date, the focus of attention has been on the thriving medical and reproductive tourism sectors in Asia and Eastern Europe; there has been much less consideration given to more recent 'players' in Latin America, notably fertility clinics in Chile, Brazil, Mexico and Argentina. In this paper, we explore the case of private Argentinean fertility clinics that market reproductive services via the Internet, to examine the context-specific ethical and policy implications. Whether or not one agrees that reproductive services should be made available as consumer goods, the fact is that they are provided as such by private clinics around the world. We argue that basic national regulatory mechanisms are required in countries such as Argentina that are marketing fertility services to local and international publics. Specifically, regular oversight of all fertility clinics is essential to ensure that consumer information is accurate and that marketed services are safe and effective. It is in the best interests of consumers, health professionals and policy makers that the reproductive tourism industry adopt safe and responsible medical practices.

Cross‐border reprogenetic services

“…Cross‐border PGD have been observed in many parts of the world for conditions of variable severity, penetrance, and time of manifestation . The international offer on the Internet of PGD services has also been noticed as well as cross‐border traveling for non‐directive genetic counseling, an important feature of PGD services .…”

The Search for Medical Technologies Abroad: The Case of Medical Travel and Pediatric Oncology Treatment in Argentina

“…Their interpretations of the drawings as ber to 100,000 (38). In their article on reproductive well as the interviews were conducted in Spanish tourism, Smith et al (42) identified Argentina as and audio-recorded. The interviews were carried "the latest 'new player' in the medical tourism out in the facilities of Fundación Natalí Dafne industry" and highlighted the fact that one of the Flexer (FNDF), a local nongovernmental organizareasons for the increase in medical tourists was the tion focused on pediatric oncology treatment.…”

Ethical health technology assessment in Latin America: lessons from Canada and Argentina

“…Unfortunately, chronic understaffing and a lack of sufficient fiIn Argentina, the medical application for PGT in the public health care and social security system 9 is still quite limited, nor are there well developed public policies or regulations governing the use of these technologies (19,20). Nonetheless, private access to such services and other reproductive technologies is relatively easy (through private clinics) and Argentinean professionals employ the same techniques as their colleagues in developed countries (20,21) 10 . This shows that there is at least some degree of acceptability of these technologies by the Argentinean public, and by health professionals.…”