O-316 From insult to injury: war and cross border reproductive care (CBRC). Difficulties for patients and collaborators

• Published in: Human reproduction (Oxford) Vol. 37; no. Supplement_1
• Main Author: Shenfield, F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 29-06-2022
• ISSN: 0268-1161; 1460-2350
• DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deac106.109

Abstract
From Insult to Injury: War and Cross Border Reproductive Care (CBRC) after Covid
Ukraine has had a thriving fertility sector for many years, both for its citizens and foreigners, for whom it has been a very popular destination for cross-border commercial surrogacy, with an estimate of between 2000 and 2500 babies born each year. Such cross border reproductive activities had already been complicated by the Covid pandemics of the last 2 years, but when Russia invaded the country in February 2022, intended parents, surrogates, egg donors, agencies and local clinics faced an emergency which led to acute distress in addition to that already felt by all with a sudden war in Europe.
We discuss the available facts with regards to the disruption to fertility services for all concerned, as well as the complex legal and ethical issues surrounding this emergency. Neighboring countries have been accepting (mostly women) refugees, who may need health care in a system stressed by extra numbers of patients. Intended parents have been trying to ensure their plans are confirmed whilst their surrogate has probably moved to a different jurisdiction. Above all, the voice of collaborators may have been overwhelmed by that of the (future) families they are contracted to help. All this, will leave its mark on CBRC in an area which has been a traditional European and recently Chinese hub for years to come.