IVF IS NORMAL: VCIOM: Russia Public Opinion Research Center

Which statement do you agree with the most? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

Total respondents

Aged 18-24

Aged 25-34

Aged 35-44

Aged 45-59

Aged 60 and more

Artificial insemination results in children’s poor health/developmental disabilities

Children born as a result of artificial insemination generally differ from the remainder children

Children born as a result of artificial insemination are often unique and gifted

Don’t know

IVF IS NORMAL

Russians are poorly informed about possibilities of in vitro fertilization and consider this reproduction technique appropriate under certain circumstances.

26.07.2018

IN BRIEF

97% of Russians know that children can be born from IVF; Most of respondents consider that this form of reproductive technology is appropriate (88%); Those who consider IVF inappropriate point to unnaturalness and religious side; Children born through IVF do not differ from other children, according to 68% of respondents

Russians are poorly informed about possibilities of in vitro fertilization and consider this reproduction technique appropriate under certain circumstances.

MOSCOW, July 26, 2018. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data of a survey devoted to the attitudes of Russians towards extracorporeal fertilization.

In 1978 the first child was born via IVF (in vitro fertilization). Ninety-seven percent of Russians are aware of this technology. The majority of them heard about this method (79%); a further 17% say that their friends used it; 1% used this method themselves.

Extracorporeal fertilization is mainly regarded as appropriate (88%). Eight percent oppose this viewpoint. Those who consider it inappropriate are basically men and non-believers (10%, each) as well as older generation (12% among those aged 60 and over).

Most of those who consider IVF inappropriate state that it is unnatural (26%). Young respondents aged 18-24 (37%) and men (31%) express more criticism because they see it as intervention in nature. A quarter of respondents (24%) do not accept IVF due to religious beliefs (49% of Muslims, 27% of Orthodox Christians). Older respondents (60 and over) mention religious views more often than others (37%).

Twelve percent of respondents think that it is better to adopt a child from an orphanage than to use IFV. A further 12% do not support IVF because children born as a result of this method might have physical disabilities. Almost every tenth respondent (8%) says people should have their own children. This viewpoint is dominant among Muslims (33%) and young Russians (53% of those aged 18-24).

Most of Russians (68%) consider that children born through artificial insemination generally differ from the remainder children. A further 7% say that those children are unique and gifted. Five percent believe that IVF may result in children’s poor health and developmental disabilities.

According to a widely held opinion, the chances to have twins or triplets as a result of artificial insemination are high (41%). At the same time 36% consider that this probability is not influenced by IVF. Sixty-one percent of respondents say that IVF is broadly available to those who need it. This opinion is mainly shared by people aged 35-44 (67%).

The VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on July 23, 2018, and involved 1,600 Russians aged 18 and over. The survey was telephone-based and was carried out using stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of landline and mobile phone numbers operating in Russia. The data were weighted according to selection probability and social and demographic characteristics. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 2.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.

Do you know, have you heard or do you hear for the first time about artificial insemination? (closed-ended question, not more than2 answers, % closed-ended question)
	Total respondents	Aged 18-24	Aged 25-34	Aged 35-44	Aged 45-59	Aged 60 and more	Men	Women
I used this method	1	0	1	2	2	0	1	1
My friends/people who I know used this method	17	10	16	27	16	11	12	20
I heard that such possibility exists	79	85	80	69	80	84	82	77
I hear about that for the first time	3	5	3	2	2	5	5	2

Certain families which cannot have children due to health issues use artificial insemination. In your opinion, is it appropriate or inappropriate to have children using artificial insemination? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)
	Total respondents	Aged 18-24	Aged 25-34	Aged 35-44	Aged 45-59	Aged 60 and more	Men	Women
Rather appropriate	88	91	91	90	88	83	86	90
Rather inappropriate	8	6	8	6	8	12	10	7
Don’t know	4	3	1	4	4	5	4	3

Certain families which cannot have children due to health issues use artificial insemination. In your opinion, is it appropriate or inappropriate to have children using artificial insemination? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)
	Total respondents	Orthodox Christians	Muslims	Catholics	Protestants	Buddhists	Believers with no religious affiliation	Non-believers	Those fluctuating between belief and unbelief	Don’t know
Rather appropriate	88	87	89	92	95	90	88	87	97	72
Rather inappropriate	8	9	4	8	5	10	8	10	1	21
Don’t know	4	4	7	0	0	0	4	3	2	7

Why do you consider that conceiving a child via artificial insemination is inappropriate? (open-ended question, not more than 3 answers, % of those who consider IVF inappropriate to conceive a child)
	% of those who consider IVF inappropriate to conceive a child	Orthodox Christians	Muslims	Catholics	Protestants	Buddhists	Believers with no religious affiliation	Non-believers	Those fluctuating between belief and unbelief	Don’t now
This is unnatural/it is not good to intervene in nature	26	28	0	0	100	0	42	0	0	55
Because of religious beliefs	24	27	49	0	0	0	37	0	0	16
Too many children in orphanages / it is better to adopt a child from an orphanage	12	9	0	0	0	0	17	40	0	0
Child’s diseases /handicapped children are born	12	16	0	100	0	0	0	0	0	0
People should have their own children	8	6	33	0	0	0	28	12	0	0
Because of moral views	4	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Unhappy family	4	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
It is expensive	2	2	0	0	0	0	0	9	0	0
The strongest survives / this is for people with defects	2	2	0	0	0	0	0	7	0	0
Part of embryos die	2	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
People must communicate	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Other	2	2	17	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Don’t know	18	14	0	0	0	100	21	32	100	29

Why do you consider that conceiving a child via artificial insemination is inappropriate? (open-ended question, not more than 3 answers, % of those who consider IVF inappropriate to conceive a child)
	% of those who consider IVF inappropriate to conceive a child	Aged 18-24	Aged 25-34	Aged 35-44	Aged 45-59	Aged 60 and more	Men	Women
This is unnatural/it is not good to intervene in nature	26	37	33	27	24	21	31	19
Because of religious beliefs	24	0	4	24	25	37	16	33
Too many children in orphanages / it is better to adopt a child from an orphanage	12	0	9	9	20	10	11	12
Child’s diseases/ handicapped children are born	12	7	13	8	7	19	7	19
People should have their own children	8	53	14	5	2	3	12	3
People should have their own children	4	0	13	9	0	0	4	4
Unhappy family	4	0	0	0	2	9	4	3
It is expensive	2	0	0	0	4	4	2	3
The strongest survives / this is for people with defects	2	16	0	0	0	4	3	1
Part of embryos die	2	0	0	5	6	0	1	4
People must communicate	1	19	0	0	0	0	2	0
Other	2	0	4	0	2	3	2	2
Don’t know	18	21	23	14	19	16	19	16

Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory.

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