Ethical considerations in Syria regarding reproduction techniques.

Ethical Islamic considerations concerning current medical infertility treatment are outlined, that allow application of all techniques as far as they are compatible with legal marriage: Homogenic insemination is allowed. Heterogenic insemination is not, although it bears slightly better outcome, because of the imperative Islamic rule not to mingle genealogical lines. Neither is surrogate motherhood because of the legal position of the mother in Islamic shari'a and consequent inheritance rights on the one hand and sociological significance of motherhood on the other. The question arises, which is the mother, the biological or the social. In all cases, special attention should be paid to the professionals involved in the procedures. The danger of embryonic sex selection following preimplantation diagnostics is hinted at, precautions should be taken. These ethical considerations are substantial in Arab countries, including Syria.