Ethics and assisted reproductive technology in Uganda: an analysis of the perceived mediating role of culture

Abstract

The study analysed educated youths’ perceptions regarding the ethics associated with assisted reproductive technology (ART) in Uganda. The guiding specific objectives were: (1) to analyze the youths’ perceptions of the relationship between ethics and culture; (2) to explore the relationship between culture and ART; and (3) to assess the effect of ethics on ART. A cross-sectional design was employed for the study. Graduates from various universities, various disciplines and gender compositions were included. Data collection methods were mainly two: (a) a purposely constructed questionnaire and (b) a documentary review. It was found that there was a low positive significant relationship between ethics and culture. Secondly, culture had a moderate positive significant effect on ART. Thirdly, Ethics had a positive significant relationship with ART. The mediation analysis revealed that culture contributed 31% to the relationship between ethics and ART. The remaining 69% operated directly. Two important actions are proposed by this study: (i) the Fertility Centres / Hospitals that offer ART services to form an Association; (ii) The Association to formulate an Ethics Policy that would guide all providers of ART services in the country. All this falls in the ambit of self regulation which would lead to effective ethical observance in the fertility centres that offer those services.