P-345 A Universalist Approach to the Registration of the Information of Gamete/Embryo Donners: an Experience from Avicenna Infertility Clinic

Study question

Legal systems justify registering information of donners on the basis of protecting identity and health of resulting children. Is this a universal rule?

Summary answer

Apparently, mentioned registration of information of gamete/embryo donners is not justifiable under all legal systems.

What is known already

In countries like Iran, there is a partial legal approach, due to religious reasons, to donation, while legal status of resulting children is not clear. For instance, as for the filiation of these children, should they be considered as filius nullius?  In Iran, following the famous Shī‘ī religious opinion, the donner is considered as the parent while the receiver is at most the step one. Under such a system, many receivers prefer to keep the donation information strictly confidential. Even donners take such a stance so as to safeguard themselves against likely legal liabilities in future. Confidentiality is justified here.

Study design, size, duration

In order for us to put forward a justifiable position, first, we examine the existing relevant Iranian laws, such as the Embryo Donation Act (2003). Secondly, certain empirical data in this regard shall be brought in. The aforesaid position shall be attempted to be based on these two steps.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Apart from the positive legal materials, some questionnaires filled out by a number of patients using Avicenna Infertility Clinic services and also a few judicial cases as decided by Iranian courts shall be taken into account for this study. As for the questionnaire, it contained ten sentences which were scored on the basis of 5-point Likert Scale. The answers were finally evaluated based on the Cronbach alpha calculation.

Main results and the role of chance

Even if one embraces the justification of the information due to protecting identity and health of resulting children, this does not work well as long as the issue of filiation is not legally determined in a crystal clear way. In this case, registration of donners’ information just adds another claimant to the group of filiation claimants which makes the situation worse. This is why both donners and receivers wish to keep the donation information completely confidential so that themselves and the children may live a normal life in the country. Otherwise, demand for this method of fertility treatment would seriously fall. The analysis of the statistic results also confirms the claim that neither of donners and receivers groups do not agree with the registration and disclosure of the data.

On this basis, we do not believe that a universalist legal approach to the issue of data registration in this area is a defendable stance. Therefore, we are inclined to see the issue in the light of other crucial aspects of the donation method, e.g. that of filiation. The guiding principle seems to be the well being of the receiving couples and the resulting children.

Limitations, reasons for caution

We do not see a particular problem (limitation or caution) in the way of our research.

Wider implications of the findings

It seems that not only is this study beneficial to the Iranian health policy makers, it will also be useful in a comparative context.

Trial registration number

not applicable

Detection of Schmallenberg virus antibody in equine population of Northern and Northeast of Iran

Aim:

Schmallenberg virus (SBV) is a newly emerging virus in Simbu group that 1^st time is reported in 2011 in Germany and now spread to Europe. The clinical signs of infection to this virus are fever, loss of appetite, reduced milk yield and in some cases, diarrhea and in pregnant animals congenital malformations in calves, lambs, and kid goats.

Materials and Methods:

In this study for a serologic survey of SBV, blood samples from 200 horse in different rural areas of the northern and northeast of Iran with the high equine population collected and were analyzed using an indirect ELISA test.

Results:

Based on our results 5% (n=10) of total 200 samples were positive for SBV antibody and 2% (n=4) was doubtful and 93% (n=186) was negative. There were no significant differences between age and sex and breed properties (p>0.05).

Conclusion:

This study demonstrated the presence of antibodies against the SBV on horse populations in Iran. The high population and activity of Culicoides biting midges and their proper living conditions, especially the areas of temperate and humid environmental conditions, are the possible causes of arboviruses related diseases seen in this country.

Polymeric Based Therapeutic Delivery Systems Prepared Using Electrohydrodynamic Processes

The development of therapeutic dosage (e.g. pharmaceutical) systems is an ongoing process which, in recent times has incorporated several emerging disciplines and themes at timely intervals. While the concepts surrounding dosage forms have developed and evolved, many polymeric excipients remain as the preferred choice of materials over existing counterparts, serving functions as matrix materials, coatings and providing other specific functional properties (e.g. adhesion, controlled release and mechanical properties). There have been, however, developments in the deployment of synthetic polymeric materials (e.g. polycaprolactone, poly lactic co-glycolic acid) when compared to naturally occurring materials (e.g. lactose, gelatin). Advances in pharmaceutical process technologies have also provided novel engineering platforms to develop a host of exciting structure based materials ranging from the nanometer to the macro scales. Some of these structure enabling technologies include spray drying, super critical processing, microfluidics and even wet chemical methods. More recently electrohydrodynamic (EHDA) engineering methods have emerged as robust technologies offering potential to fabricate a plethora of generic structures (e.g. particles, fibres, bubbles and pre-determined patterns) on a broad scale range. This review focuses on key developments using various EHDA technologies for the pharmaceutical and biomaterial remits when selecting synthetic and/or naturally occurring polymers as pharmaceutical (and therapeutic) excipients. In addition, the underlying EHDA process principles are discussed along with key parameters and variables (both materials and engineering). EHDA technologies are operational at ambient conditions and recent developments have also demonstrated their viability for large scale production. These are promising technologies which have potential in established (e.g. films, dressings and microparticles) and emerging scientific themes (e.g. nanomedicines and tissue engineering).

Biotechnology-related intellectual property law of iran

In this study, an attempt has been made to expound the Iranian law of intellectual property in relation to biotechnology. The most important themes studied are patents, industrial designs and trade marks. The latest relevant piece of legislation concerning the subject matters was passed in March 2008. However, the history of laws and regulations in this field goes back to early twentieth century (i.e. 1925). In this review, on the basis of the latest law passed in 2008, the topics explored are the responsible authority, patentable items and criteria, excluded items, registration procedure, rights conferred and sanctions. At the end, an attempt is made to put forward a few points as an analysis of the above Law from a critical point of view.