Social and private benefits of assisted reproductive technology: A national survey-based evaluation in Israel

Background: The objective of this paper was to measure the private and social benefits resulting from technological advances in fertility treatment. Methods: An empirical model investigates the willingness-to-pay (WTP) for advances in the medical technology of in vitro fertilization (IVF) among the general public and among IVF patients in Israel. Results: The empirical model's findings demonstrate that IVF patients and the general public value medical technology advances and have a positive WTP for it. The average WTP for IVF technology advances, among IVF patients, is US$3116.9 whereas for the general public it is US$2284.4. Conclusion: Available evidence suggests that advances in medical technology have delivered substantial benefits and appear to have contributed to improved wellbeing.