While a physician cannot lie for a surrogate mother, he or she should offer to be by her side in any discussions with the intended parents.

This month, Virtual Mentor theme issue editor, Katie Falloon, a medical student at the Duke University School of Medicine, interviewed Dr. Thomas Price about the ethical and regulatory issues associated with assisted reproductive technologies (ART).

To be best able to respond if third parties in assisted reproduction contracts break their terms, physicians should familiarize themselves with the contracts, encourage all parties to self-disclose, and, failing that, disclose material information to the other party.

The possibilities of pre-conception selection of gender and character traits of children pose many moral and ethical questions.