Uterus transplantation: the ethics of moving the womb.

Abstract

Although currently in the early clinical research phase, the first successful birth of a child after uterus transplant is an early step toward another reproductive option for women with uterine factor infertility. Uterus transplantation uniquely brings together the fields of assisted reproductive technology and transplant medicine and represents the world's first ephemeral transplant completed to improve quality of life rather than extending life. However, the ethical, legal, and social implications of uterus transplantation must be carefully analyzed for the donor, recipient, and resulting child before uterus transplant moves from clinical research to clinical practice.