Reproductive biomedicine online
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Reprod. Biomed. Online · Jul 2007
ReviewDecision-making authority of patients and fertility specialists in Belgian law.
Belgium has finally introduced a law covering medically assisted reproduction and the disposition of supernumerary embryos and gametes, one of the last countries in Europe to do so. It is a liberal law, which gives extended decision-making authority to both patients and physicians. Importantly, access to treatment is given to all types of patients, with the exception of women over 47 years. ⋯ Simultaneously, fertility specialists and clinics have the right to refuse treatment to patients when they have a conscientious objection. Apart from the disposition of gametes and embryos, the law also permits the use of gametes and embryos post-mortem if there is written consent by the partners. Finally, the application of preimplantation genetic diagnosis for human leukocyte antigen typing is regulated.