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Purpose: This study aimed to assess the attitudes and experiences of subfertile couples applying for medically assisted reproduction (MAR) using their own gametes towards reproductive genetic carrier screening (RGCS) for monogenic conditions. Methods: A prospective survey study was conducted where subfertile couples were recruited from the fertility centre of a university hospital in Flanders, Belgium. Participants were offered RGCS free of charge and completed self-administered questionnaires at three different time points. Results: The study sample consisted of 26 couples. Most participants had no children, did not consider themselves as religious, and had some form of higher education. Overall, attitudes towards RGCS were mostly positive and the intention to participate in RGCS was high. Anxiety scores were only elevated and clinically relevant for a limited number of participants. A large proportion of participants would consider preventive reproductive options like prenatal diagnosis or in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) combined with pre-implantation genetic testing for monogenic conditions (PGT-M) in the event of an increased likelihood of conceiving a child with a hereditary condition. Participants were satisfied with their decision to undergo RGCS, and the majority would recommend RGCS to other couples. Conclusion: Our study findings suggest that subfertile couples applying for MAR using their own gametes find RGCS acceptable and have a positive attitude towards it. This study provides valuable insights into the perspectives of these couples, highlighting the need for appropriate counseling and timely information provision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The supply of human organs available for transplantation remains grossly inadequate globally. Animal‐to‐human transplantation, and even more so humanized organ grown in animals, holds promising results for the start of clinical trials in humans. Very little is known about the public's willingness to accept different xenotransplantation techniques. This study aims to determine attitudes toward human‐to‐human transplantation, animal‐to‐human transplantation, and chimera‐to‐human transplantation in the Belgium context. Methods: Secondary school students from Flanders, Belgium, were surveyed between January and June 2019. Socio‐demographic details likely to influence participants' attitudes were gathered. Participants were presented with three hypothetical cases (human‐to‐human transplantation, animal‐to‐human transplantation, and chimera‐to‐human transplantation) and asked about their willingness to accept the particular organ. Their risk appetite to accept organs with potentially worse outcomes than the status quo was also evaluated. Results: Seven hundred forty‐one complete questionnaires were analyzed. It can be concluded that Flemish secondary school students favored the techniques of xenotransplantation to a lesser extent than allotransplantation; however, most of them did consider it a good solution for organ shortage. Compared to animal‐to‐human transplantation, chimera‐to‐human transplantation showed a more positive attitude among the respondents when considered a good organ transplantation solution. Conclusion: Flemish secondary school students favored the techniques of xenotransplantation to a lesser extent than allotransplantation; however, most of them did consider it a good solution for organ shortage. In comparison to animal‐to‐human transplantation, chimera‐to‐human transplantation showed a more positive attitude among the respondents when considered a good solution for organ transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]