IVF, Surrogacy And Gene Editing: Experts Call For Ethical Guidelines, Stronger Legal Safeguards

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The Ilorin Emirate Professors’ Association, IEPA, has called for stronger ethical and regulatory frameworks to guide use of gene editing, in vitro fertilisation, IVF, and surrogacy in Nigeria, warning that advances in reproductive medicine must be balanced with respect for human dignity, family values and social responsibility.

The call was made during an IEPA webinar on gene editing, IVF and surrogacy, which brought together experts to examine medical, ethical, Islamic and social implications of emerging reproductive technologies.

Advances In Reproductive Medicine Must Respect Human Dignity — IEPA

In her opening remarks, webinar convener, Professor Binta Ajibola Sulyman, said advances in medical science had created new possibilities in healthcare and human reproduction but also raised complex questions requiring careful consideration.
“The implications of these technologies extend beyond medical practice to issues of religion, family relationships, ethics and social responsibility,” Sulyman said.
In his welcome address, President of IEPA, Professor Abdul Kabir Hussain Solihu, whose tenure runs from 2024 to 2026, said scientific advancement must be accompanied by ethical reflection, social responsibility and respect for human dignity.
“Our goal is not to reject progress, but to ensure that progress remains anchored in moral clarity and Islamic values,” he said.
He cautioned against both outright rejection of new medical technologies and their uncritical acceptance.

One In Six Adults Globally Experiences Infertility — WHO 2023 Estimate

Speaking on medical dimensions, Professor AG Ahmed, Professor of Psychiatry at University of Saskatchewan and Saskatchewan Health Authority, Canada, highlighted need for stronger clinical accountability, effective patient counselling and transparent reporting of IVF outcomes.

Ahmed identified infertility as significant health and social concern, noting that affected individuals and couples may experience considerable psychological, emotional and financial pressure.

He referred to World Health Organisation’s 2023 estimate that approximately one in six adults globally experiences infertility, underscoring importance of access to appropriate care and reliable medical information.
“The absence of clear regulatory standards could expose patients and other parties to avoidable medical, psychological and legal complications,” Ahmed warned.
He raised concerns about ethical implications of gene editing, particularly interventions that could affect future generations, as well as use of preimplantation genetic testing in reproductive medicine.

He called for safeguards to protect gestational carriers and children born through assisted reproductive procedures, including clear arrangements for consent, medical care, confidentiality and parental responsibilities.

Donor Sperm, Eggs And Surrogacy Generally Prohibited In Islamic Jurisprudence — Alaro

On religious and social implications, Professor AbdulRazzaq A. Alaro, mni, Professor of Islamic Law and Director of Quality Assurance at University of Ilorin, said scientific innovation should operate within appropriate ethical, religious and legal boundaries.

Alaro explained that mainstream Sunni Islamic position generally permits IVF where sperm and egg belong to legally married couple and resulting embryo is transferred to wife during subsistence of marriage.
“However, use of donor sperm, donor eggs, donor embryos and surrogacy is generally prohibited under position adopted by major contemporary Islamic jurisprudential bodies, particularly because of concerns about lineage, parentage, inheritance and family identity,” Alaro said.
He distinguished between gene-editing interventions intended to treat serious diseases and those aimed at enhancing non-medical traits. Therapeutic interventions may be considered permissible under appropriate conditions, while heritable germline editing and non-medical genetic enhancement raise serious ethical concerns.

Commercialisation Without Safeguards Could Lead To Exploitation — Experts Warn

Alaro warned that commercialisation of reproductive services, coupled with weak safeguards, could create opportunities for exploitation, trafficking and other abuses.

He raised questions about legal status of children born through assisted reproductive technologies, particularly in relation to parentage, custody, maintenance, inheritance and protection of genetic information.

He called for comprehensive national legal framework to regulate assisted reproductive technologies and emerging genomic interventions in Nigeria.
“Such framework should provide for licensing and inspection of fertility clinics, transparent reporting of treatment outcomes, informed consent, accurate identification and handling of reproductive materials, and effective protection of patients’ personal and genetic data,” Alaro recommended.

The webinar underscored importance of ensuring that access to reproductive medicine does not come at expense of patient safety, child welfare, privacy or rights of vulnerable individuals.

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