The Meaning and Importance of Genetic Relatedness: Fertility Preservation Decision Making Among Israeli Adolescent Cancer Survivors and Their Parents

Authors

  • Dorit Barlevy Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Switzerland https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1478-0111
  • Bernice S Elger Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Switzerland https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4249-7399
  • Tenzin Wangmo Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Switzerland
  • Shifra Ash Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel, Petach Tiqva, Israel https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4278-1645
  • Vardit Ravitsky Bioethics Program, School of Public Health, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7202/1073782ar

Keywords:

fertility preservation, oncofertility, decision making, genetic relatedness, alternative parenting options

Language(s):

English

Abstract

Background: With multiple options available today to become a parent, how does the matter of genetic relatedness factor into adolescent cancer patients’ fertility preservation (FP) decision making? This study reports on and normatively analyzes this aspect of FP decision making. Methods: A convenience sample of Israeli adolescent cancer survivors and their parents were invited to participate in individual, semi-structured interviews. Results: In discussing the importance of genetic relatedness to future children or grandchildren, participants repeatedly brought up the interrelated issues of nature, normalcy, and personal identity. Regardless of preference or ambivalence for genetic relatedness, the majority of participants were aware of alternative parenting options and noted both their advantages and disadvantages. However, knowledge of alternative parenting options was not uniform. Conclusions: To ensure that adolescent patients and their parents make informed FP decisions that meet their personal goals and values, it is important for physicians to discuss alternative parenting options with them in a culturally sensitive manner. Greater credence also should be given to those who question the importance of genetic relatedness.

Open issue, (c) Han Han Li

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Published

2020-11-16

How to Cite

[1]
Barlevy D, Elger BS, Wangmo T, Ash S, Ravitsky V. The Meaning and Importance of Genetic Relatedness: Fertility Preservation Decision Making Among Israeli Adolescent Cancer Survivors and Their Parents. Can. J. Bioeth 2020;3:76-87. https://doi.org/10.7202/1073782ar.

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 3 (2020): Open Issue

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2020 Dorit Barlevy, Bernice S Elger, Tenzin Wangmo, Shifra Ash, Vardit Ravitsky

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

The Canadian Journal of Bioethics applies the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License to all its publications. Authors therefore retain copyright of their publication, e.g., they can reuse their publication, link to it on their home page or institutional website, deposit a PDF in a public repository. However, the authors allow anyone to download, reuse, reprint, modify, distribute, and/or copy their publication, so long as the original authors and source are cited.