Bioethical reflections on assisted reproduction in advanced age

Objectives: To verify contraptions between late gestation and bioethical postulates. Research design: This is an integrative review of studies published between 2010 and 2015 in international journals, published in English, Spanish and Portuguese,was conducted in the PubMed and Scopus platforms.Eight articles were found, andtwo were selected. The latter addressed ethical-legal issues that justify a coercion of autonomy that makes it difficult for women in advanced ages to access assisted reproduction. Discussion: The desire for a pregnancy in advanced ages through assisted reproduction includes the health implications for the main actors involved and the ethical and legal aspects. As for health, pregnancy at older ages, it is associated with hypertensive conditions, diabetes, pre-eclampsia, preterm delivery, and lower birth weight, in addition to the aging of women which is considered per se a risk factor for many pathologies. Such a phenomenon meets the principle of autonomy on the maternal side, but also puts into question a possible disrespect for fetal autonomy, as well as the principles of non-maleficence and justice that assists. Conclusion: Assisted reproduction is an important tool for the success of pregnancy in older women. However, in addition to specific technical issues, its use involves the Bioethical Principles of Autonomy, Non-Maleficence and Justice, characterizing an emerging bioethical challenge that deserves more attention from health professionals.