American physicians remain slow to embrace the reproductive needs of human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients.

Nearly 1 million Americans are infected with HIV. Most are living well and enjoying productive lives. Yet few programs in the United States permit unrestricted access to assisted reproduction for HIV-seropositive patients. Some of these individuals have conventional problems causing infertility. Many others are attempting to minimize viral transmission to their spouse or offspring. European centers remain far ahead of those in the United States in advancing techniques and offering services to safeguard the uninfected while providing effective, affordable care to the HIV-seropositive patient.