Moral and Ethical Dilemmas of Italian Embryo Recipients

Abstract

This paper explores the complex landscape of assisted reproductive technology (ARTs), particularly focusing the ethical dimensions of embryo donation. The emergence of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and the subsequent proliferation of unused embryos have sparked ethical debates regarding their disposal, including cryopreservation and donation. The paper delves into the ethical concerns raised by embryo donation, exploring the narratives of embryo recipients. This article shows the different ethical representations regarding the ontological status of embryos, while paying attention to the ambivalence related to language, practices and meaning that revolve around embryo adoption and/or donation.