Medical Society Approves Futile Treatment

The Ethics Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine has updated its opinion: “Fertility Treatment when the Prognosis is Very Poor or Futile."

Among other things, ASRM advises on the way patients should be treated when their prospect of achieving a live birth is less than 1% (futile).

While the provision of futile therapies is usually not considered ethical, the Committee notes that in some circumstances a patient may seek treatment for psychological benefit. In such cases, treatment may be provided after explicit education and discussion of values.  When a treatment’s prospect of success is very poor, it is imperative that physicians clearly present the risks, benefits, and alternatives to their patients.