Abstract

Background: Advances in reproductive medicine and the use of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) have a great impact in the lives of people and the conformation of their families. Aim: To report the results of an opinion survey applied to inhabitants of Santiago, Chile about the use of ART to conceive. Material and Methods: A survey was designed and applied to a random representative sample of 1.500 people between the ages of 18 and 65 in the 34 municipalities of Santiago. Results: Eighty eight percent of respondents support the use of medical assistance to conceive children. Wide approval exists for the use of in vitro fertilization (IVF) by heterosexual couples, even when not married (85.9%) and by single women (70.4%), by both male and female participants of every socioeconomic level, age group and religious affiliation. Support decreases significantly when the use of IVF is considered for post-menopausal women (35.1%) and by same-sex couples (26.6%). Conclusions: Results of this survey indicate that the majority of inhabitants in Santiago favor the use of ART, including IVF. This support decreases significantly for elderly women and homosexual couples.