Ethics or legislation for the regulation of assisted reproduction technology?

Many new procedures for assisted reproduction treatments (such as in-vitro fertilization, embryo selection, cloning, egg-, spermatozoa- and embryo-storage, and stem cells transplant) have recently become available. Some form of regulation or legislation for their use is essential. This is made difficult because of the rapid pace of genetic discoveries and derived technologies, the diversity of opinions on the legitimate application of these new techniques, and the pluralistic and evolving social norms of society regarding the use of the new reproductive methods. This paper examines some of the problems that can arise when regulation is attempted in each of the above fields. A variety of solutions such as referendums, moratoriums, ethical codes of professional bodies or the drafting of scientifically accurate and appropriate legislation depending on particular circumstances are considered as a means of achieving a flexible and responsive approach to the challenges posed by the use of the new techniques for assisted reproduction technologies.