Community attitudes to maternal age and pregnancy after assisted reproductive technology: too old at 50 years?

Community attitudes toward oocyte and embryo donation, and toward assisted reproduction after the menopause were assessed in this survey of 1131 Australians. Of the respondents, 64.2% believed that oocyte or embryo donation was an acceptable treatment for infertile couples, 54.6% felt that it was acceptable for a woman to have her own embryos transferred after the menopause, and 37.9% are accepting of the donation of eggs or embryos to post-menopausal women. There were no significant differences in response amongst different religious groups, or in relation to gender or income level. Significantly higher levels of acceptance were noted for all categories amongst those respondents aged < 35 years. Despite the established clinical ability to achieve pregnancy in the over 50 years age group, this survey reveals only minority community support for this practice. However, public opinion may alter in the future if the attitudes of the younger proportion of the sample are maintained.