Assisted reproduction from the perspective of cross-border reproductive care

Jirina Kocourkova , Charles University In Prague
Adéla Volejníková, Charles University
Anna Štastná , Charles University, Prague

The importance of assisted reproduction (ART) is increasing significantly due to the delaying of parenthood to higher ages. In addition, cross-border reproductive care (CBRC), a new and associated phenomenon, has emerged as a result of the limited availability of, or unfavourable legislation governing, ART in a number of countries. This paper contributes to the overall understanding of the recent expansion of CBRC by analysing the increasing use of ART in Czechia, one of the main target countries for cross-border reproductive care. The paper seeks to answer the question as to why Czechia has become an attractive target for CBRC and how the situation manifests itself in Czechia. Czechia is compared with France, Italy, Germany, Sweden and the United Kingdom, i.e. the countries from which the highest proportions of patients travel to Czechia for fertility treatment. The aim is not only to determine the differences in terms of the use of ART between these countries, but also to clarify the causes and consequences of the higher intensity of CBRC. Data on the ART cycles was taken from the ESHRE European IVF Monitoring Programme and from the Institute of Health Information and Statistics of the Czech Republic. The results point to the relatively liberal legislation in Czechia, the advanced level of health care, the safety of the various procedures, donor anonymity, and above all, the low cost of performing assisted reproduction compared to other countries. Moreover, many foreign patients consider Czechia to be a suitable source of donated oocytes.

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 Presented in Session 67. Infertility and Reproductive Health