ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses two other main problems with fertility: failure to conceive and unwanted pregnancy. The General Practitioner (GP) is liable to face complex ethical dilemmas in both these areas and needs to be aware of the ethical and legal issues of assisted fertility and abortion. At any one time, there is a possibility that a GP will be providing antenatal care for a woman carrying a baby for another, unaware of the arrangement. It could be that the GP would feel on morally sound ground if he brought to bear all means of persuasion, coercion, paternalism and control into discussion with his patient in order to influence her decision. Whatever the initial reason for a discussion between the patient and GP on antenatal screening, the GP has a duty to describe the process and to make sure that the patient understands all the implications of such screening.
