American Society for Reproductive Medicine

The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) is a multidisciplinary organization dedicated to the advancement of the science and practice of reproductive medicine. It provides a forum for lay public, researchers, physicians and affiliated health workers through education, publications, and meetings. The Society has its headquarters in Birmingham, AL and a public affairs office in Washington, DC.[1]

History and activities

Founded in 1944 by a small group of fertility experts who met in Chicago, its initial name was the American Society for the Study of Sterility and then the American Fertility Society (AFS). Though primarily an American organization, it now has members from over 100 countries worldwide.[2] Key activities are the annual Scientific Congress & Expo that brings together several thousand interested professionals from different countries, as well as courses, seminars, workshops and publications. Special interest groups are focused on assisted reproductive technology, andrology, reproductive surgery, contraception, menopause, genetic counseling, business practices, reproductive endocrinology, sexuality, adolescent endocrinology, reproductive nursing, reproductive biology, mental health, imaging techniques, laboratory techniques, fertility preservation, nutrition, and reproductive immunology. ASRM has an Ethics Committee that provides guidance on ethical issues.[3][4] The ASRM Practice Committee issues clinical guidelines and reports.[5] Its statements and actions are closely followed by the media.[6][7] The European counterpart of ASRM is ESHRE.

World Health Organization NGO Status

In May 2014, the ASRM joined into official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO) as a Nongovernmental Organization (NGO).[8]

“Illness is not limited by political boundaries. It is vital that we work with our colleagues from all over the world to improve the care of reproductive disorders. We are anxious to work with governments and other NGO's as we all strive to improve global reproductive health. Patients the world over deserve access to the best care possible. In an increasingly interconnected world, it is clear that this cannot happen by nations acting alone,” stated Rebecca Z. Sokol, MD, MPH, then Acting President of the ASRM.

Publications

Publications of the ASRM include [9] -

  • Fertility and Sterility - Peer reviewed monthly official publication of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Society of Reproductive Surgeons, Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology, Society for Male Reproduction and Urology, Pacific Coast Reproductive Society and Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society.
  • Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics - Published monthly; was published as Journal of In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer before 1992
  • Newsletters - ASRM News
  • Ethics Committee Reports and Statements -Ethical issues in reproduction are addressed by the Ethics Committee that published guidelines for medical practitioners.
  • Practice Committee Guidelines - Practice Committee summarizes consensus opinions on medical standards and educational bulletins.
  • Patient Education Fact Sheets and Booklets - series produced under the direction of the ASRM Patient Education Committee and the Publications Committee.

Notable Presidents and Members
  • Benjamin B. Weinstein (founding member and President 1953-54), Pioneer in the practice of Reproductive Medicine and founding member of the Tulane Medical School History of Medicine Society
  • Robert Latou Dickinson (founding member), noted obstetrician/gynecologist and anatomical illustrator
  • John Rock (founding member), co-inventor of the birth control pill
  • Georgeanna Seegar Jones (President 1970-71[2]), with her husband, Howard W. Jones, pioneered in vitro fertilization (IVF) in the United States[10]
  • William E. Gibbons (President 2009-10), pioneer of in vitro fertilization
  • Luigi Mastroianni, Jr. (President 1976-77[2]), pioneer of reproductive surgery and in vitro fertilization research
  • Larry I. Lipshultz (President 1998-9), winner of the Hugh Hampton Young Award and founder of the Society for the Study of Male Reproduction

See also

References
  1. "ASRM – About". Retrieved 2010-12-25.
  2. Duka, Walter E.; DeCherney, Alan H. (1994-01-01). From the Beginning: A History of The American Fertility Society, 1944-1994 (1st ed.). American Fertility Society: Birmingham, Alabama.
  3. "Embryo battles are likely to get a precedent in San Francisco couple's case". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2015-09-30.
  4. "Report documents gaps in infertility treatment access". Urology Times. Archived from the original on 2015-10-02. Retrieved 2015-09-30.
  5. Marcotte, Amanda (2012-10-19). "Freezing Your Eggs Is No Longer Experimental. But It's Still Not the Path to Having It All". Slate. ISSN 1091-2339. Retrieved 2015-09-30.
  6. Markowicz, Karol (2015-09-21). "Thank you for sharing your fertility struggles, Tyra and Chrissy". New York Post. Retrieved 2015-09-30.
  7. "'Octomom' doctor expelled from fertility group - USATODAY.com". usatoday30.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2015-09-30.
  8. "WHO | Infertility". www.who.int. Retrieved 2015-09-30.
  9. "ASRM – Publications". Archived from the original on 2011-04-13. Retrieved 2010-12-25.
  10. O'connor, Anahad (2005-03-28). "Georgeanna S. Jones, In Vitro Conception Pioneer, Dies at 92". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2015-09-30.
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