Medically assisted procreation in times of COVID-19: what impact on health care system organization and the reproductive rights of couples?

INTRODUCTION: The emergency caused by the spread of COVID-19 has overwhelmed health care facilities and required the reorganization of health systems in many nations worldwide. OBJECTIVE: The article aims to illustrate the measures aimed at containing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and their impact on those seeking medically-assisted procreation procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: By drawing upon international sources and documents from ethics committees and scientific societies about the COVID-19 pandemic and MAP, the article aims to expound upon and assess the measures issued by the Italian government in order to counter the spread of COVID-19. RESULTS: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has had a major impact on infertile couples. Since the pandemic broke out, Italy, like most European countries, has interrupted most ordinary activities of the centers operating in the field of assisted fertilization. DISCUSSION: Such measures are based on the principles of responsibility and solidarity, essential to stave off the saturation of health systems, curb contagion, but also to lay out a set of rules to starting a pregnancy while preserving the health of couples, operators and newborns. The authors also expound upon the rights claimed by couples seeking access to MAP (i.e. the right to become a parent, the couple’s right to health). CONCLUSIONS: We believe that access to assisted fertilization techniques by sterile and infertile couples should be part of the right to health rather than of the supposed right to become parents or the increase in the birth rate, also evoked as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded. (www.actabiomedica.it)