Measuring the social value of assisted reproductive technology

Abstract

Reproductive behavioural patterns are undoubtedly changing with the increasing popularity of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART). While fulfilling a couple’s wish to be parents, the social value of ART is not easy to quantify. This work project aims at quantifying this by measuring the economic value that one person adds to the state, by creating a model that calculates net transfers with the state throughout the individual’s lifetime. Under average circumstances, the Net Present Value (NPV) of an ART-conceived individual was calculated to be € 20,424.96. Different scenarios were tested, and the work component (namely taxes and pensions) was found to be the most determinant element