ABSTRACT
This chapter analyses the role and the ethical orientation of the counsellor in the treatment of infertility. On the background of the widespread consensus in genetics to abolish eugenic concepts as well as medical paternalism in counselling and to adopt rather an orientation to the respect for autonomy of the person, non-directivity became a leading principle. A model of different aspects of neutrality is suggested for counselling practice. Adoption of the rule of non-directivity, efforts to avoid medical paternalism, and particularly striving not to moralise patients’ wishes in counselling and treatment has contributed to the rhetoric of ‘neutrality’ as an ideal, respectful, and superior attitude. In the case of treating infertility, the person involved in counselling is not necessarily the performative expert of in vitro fertilisation or alternative medical treatment; therefore, performative expertise may be split among a few professionals and realised within the frame of division of labour.
