Oncofertility and the Rights to Future Fertility.

Abstract

The field of oncofertility, or fertility preservation for patients facing a cancer diagnosis, has seen significant scientific breakthroughs that allow adults and children undergoing fertility-threatening cancer treatment to preserve their fertility for a life after cancer. These breakthroughs also raise complex legal issues for patients and clinicians. While the current scholarship tangentially discusses the disposition of genetic material in regards to pediatric patients, this Special Communication examines the current legal framework as applied to disputes regarding the disposition of genetic material between the oncofertility patient and donor, and provides a potential new solution for courts to use in determining the rights of parties in disputes involving donated genetic material.