Objectives:

In vitro gametogenesis (IVG), the reconstitution of germ cell development in vitro, is an emerging stem cell-based technology with profound implications for reproductive science and medicine. Advances in the field, along with increasing public awareness, raise hopes for future clinical applications. However, little is currently known about the views on IVG of stakeholders potentially most affected by its introduction in humans. This study aims to explore the views on IVG research and potential applications among people who have experienced involuntary childlessness for medical or social reasons and represent the core of potential IVG users in the future.

Methods:

Qualitative methods are well-suited to capture emerging questions and narratives about novel areas of science. Focus groups and semi-structured interviews were conducted with a gender, sexual orientation and race-diverse sample of 80 participants in the United States who had lived experience of infertility and/or LGBTQ+ family formation. After being introduced to the concept of IVG, participants were asked about their views and concerns about it.

Results:

Participants expressed hope that IVG could improve reproductive success compared to current assisted reproductive technologies (ART), reduce the burden associated with ART use, notably egg retrieval, and foster greater equity and social inclusion. Concerns raised were primarily centered on issues of equity and safety. These findings contrast with dominant analyses of bioethical issues of IVG that have emphasized risks of abuse and concerns about nontraditional family formation. They point to concrete needs that should be considered in the development of the technology.

Conclusions:

Findings demonstrate a strong interest in IVG from people representing potential users. They highlight the importance of engaging with stakeholders who have relevant lived experience to identify their needs, such as ways to ensure equitable access to the technology, and accurately anticipate the research and clinical implications of IVG. Early engagement between the scientific community and a large range of stakeholders will facilitate ethical research and ultimately foster public support. Preliminary observations in France suggest both continuities and differences of public perceptions of IVG in France and the US. To identify possible variations, future research must explore perceptions of IVG in different cultural contexts and within the public at large.