A Survey of Public Opinion in the United States Regarding Uterine Transplantation

Abstract

Study objective: To evaluate the opinions and attitudes of the general public regarding uterine transplantation (UTx) in the United States.

Design: A cross-sectional study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).

Setting: A Web-based survey.

Patients: A nationally representative sample of adult US residents by age and sex.

Interventions: A Web-based questionnaire administered in November 2016.

Measurements and main results: Respondents who supported UTx were compared with those who were opposed using log binomial regression to calculate relative risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Of the 1444 respondents recruited, 1337 (93%) completed the survey. Ninety respondents (6%) disagreed with the use of in vitro fertilization for any indication and were excluded. Of the remaining 1247 respondents, 977 (78%) supported and 48 (4%) opposed allowing women to undergo UTx. Respondents with higher yearly incomes and education level were more likely to agree that "taking the uterus from one person and putting it into another person is ethical." Respondents who answered that UTx is safe for the donor, recipient, and baby were more likely to believe that UTx is an acceptable, ethical alternative to a gestational carrier. Forty-five percent of respondents believed that UTx should be covered by insurance, whereas 24% did not.

Conclusion: The majority of respondents in a sample of US residents support UTx, find it ethical, and believe that it is an acceptable alternative to a gestational carrier although support varies. These findings suggest that the US public is in favor of uterine transplantation as a treatment for uterine factor infertility.

Keywords: Absolute uterine factor infertility; Public opinion; Transplantation; Uterine transplant; Uterine transplantation.