AUTHOR=Biasetti Pierfrancesco , Hildebrandt Thomas B. , Göritz Frank , Hermes Robert , Holtze Susanne , Galli Cesare , Lazzari Giovanna , Colleoni Silvia , Pollastri Ilaria , Spiriti Maria Michela , Stejskal Jan , Seet Steven , Zwilling Jan , Ngulu Stephen , Mutisya Samuel , Kariuki Linus , Lokolool Isaac , Omondo Patrick , Ndeereh David , de Mori Barbara 

TITLE=Ethical Analysis of the Application of Assisted Reproduction Technologies in Biodiversity Conservation and the Case of White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) Ovum Pick-Up Procedures

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Veterinary Science

VOLUME=9

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2022.831675

DOI=10.3389/fvets.2022.831675

ISSN=2297-1769

ABSTRACT=<p>Originally applied on domestic and lab animals, assisted reproduction technologies (ARTs) have also found application in conservation breeding programs, where they can make the genetic management of populations more efficient, and increase the number of individuals per generation. However, their application in wildlife conservation opens up new ethical scenarios that have not yet been fully explored. This study presents a frame for the ethical analysis of the application of ART procedures in conservation based on the Ethical Matrix (EM), and discusses a specific case study—ovum pick-up (OPU) procedures performed in the current conservation efforts for the northern white rhinoceros (<italic>Ceratotherium simum cottoni</italic>)—providing a template for the assessment of ART procedures in projects involving other endangered species.</p>