Regulatory and legal frameworks, consent and rights, safety, parenthood, ethical issues, and public engagement are among the critical issues that need to be considered as IVG research advances.

IVG is the lab-based creation of egg and sperm cells from stem cells. It remains in the early stages of clinical development, and while we don't know if or how soon it may be ethically and practically possible for clinical use, research into this is being supported by strong commercial and investment interest in the field of reproductive technology.

The development of IVG could improve and expand reproductive treatment options, offering people new ways to have a child. It could provide a simpler, less invasive alternative to current egg collection procedures used in mainstream in vitro fertilization (IVF) as eggs could instead be manufactured using (for example) skin cells. It could also enable same-sex couples to have children who share genes from both parents, and could be used to expand the scale and scope of preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) - a process which screens embryos for specific genetic traits or conditions before their use in fertility treatment.

Before IVG technology is considered for use, scientists, ethicists, policymakers, regulators, and the public need to work collaboratively to consider carefully the implications of this technology and its applications.

To support this approach, the Future of Human Reproduction team, in partnership with the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, has published a report providing an overview of the ethical and policy questions that arise in relation to IVG. The report identifies ethical issues, regulatory considerations, and assessments of potential applications, providing a foundation for conversation and debate about this emerging technology.

Read the full report and summary.