Committee opinions on medically assisted reproduction

Opinion by letter No  21 - The reimbursement of additional IVF cycles in the context of PGT‑M

Opinion by letter No 21 of 12 March 2026 on the reimbursement of additional IVF cycles in the context of PGT‑M

This opinion by letter addresses the question of whether it is appropriate to reimburse additional in vitro fertilisation (IVF) cycles when couples who are carriers of a hereditary genetic disorder use pre‑implantation genetic testing (PGT‑M) in order to avoid transmitting this condition to their future child. In Belgium, reimbursement is currently limited to six IVF cycles, regardless of the reason for the treatment. The Committee examines whether this rule leads, in the context of PGT‑M, to an equitable situation, given that certain embryos cannot be transferred because of an identified genetic risk. The opinion analyses this issue in the light of available scientific data and ethical considerations, in particular with regard to equality between patients, equity of outcomes, social justice and the responsible use of healthcare resources. It also highlights the possible alternatives that these couples may be confronted with. The Committee does not take a decision on reimbursement, but sets out the ethical issues that are relevant for political decision‑making bodies.

Avis par lettre n° 21 FR

Briefadvies nr. 21 NL

Opinion No 68 - Maximum age limit for medically assisted reproduction

Opinion No 68 of 14 November 2016 on the maximum age limit for medically assisted reproduction.

Opinion No 67 - Reception of Oocytes within lesbian couples (ROPA)

Opinion of 12 September 2016 on the reception of egg cells harvested from the partner within lesbian couples with a view to in vitro fertilisation (ROPA: Reception of Oocytes from Partner).

Opinion No 57 - "social freezing"

Opinion no. 57 of 16 December 2013 of the Belgian Advisory Committee on Bioethics on the ethical aspects of the freezing of eggs in anticipation of age-related infertility.

Opinion No 52 - Use of human tissues and cells in reproductive medicine

Opinion No 52 of 12 March 2012 on the ethical aspects of certain provisions of the European and Belgian regulations with regard to human tissues and cells used in the context of reproductive medicine

Opinion No 49 - PGD for healthy carriers of a severe hereditary disease

Opinion No 49 of 20 April 2009 on the use of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) to detect healthy carriers of a mutation causing a severe hereditary disease for which offspring can have an increased risk