Mark V. Sauer, M.D.

This month's issue addresses a very important topic: ethics in reproductive medicine. The field of assisted reproductive technology has always been controversial. I have successfully recruited Dr. Mark V. Sauer, who has developed an excellent issue of Seminars in Reproductive Medicine with expert contributors, to address several ethical issues in reproduction.

Mark V. Sauer graduated from Washington University in St. Louis and received his medical doctorate from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago. He also served as a Resident in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Illinois Medical Center in Chicago. Dr. Sauer completed his fellowship training in Reproductive Endocrinology/Infertility at the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Torrance, California under the mentorship of Dr. John E. Buster.

Dr. Sauer is a tenured Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University. He is Vice Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Chief of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology at Columbia University Medical Center in Manhattan. He is the New York State–licensed Laboratory Director for the embryology/andrology in vitro fertilization program at the Center for Women's Reproductive Care at Columbia University. Dr. Sauer served on the medical advisory board of New York State Task Force on Life and the Law, and currently is an Expert Consultant to the New York State Department of Health Office of Professional Medical Misconduct. He is a member of the Ethics Committee of Columbia University Medical Center.

Dr. Sauer is board-certified in both obstetrics and gynecology and reproductive endocrinology and is a member of numerous professional organizations including the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, the Society for Gynecologic Investigation, and the American Gynecological and Obstetrical Society. Dr. Sauer serves on the editorial board of Reproductive Sciences, Reproductive Biomedicine Online, and American Journal of Bioethics and also is a scientific reviewer for numerous peer-reviewed journals. He is an Examiner for the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology in both the specialty and subspecialty.

Dr. Sauer has published more than 300 peer-reviewed papers and contributed over 40 textbook chapters on various aspects of infertility. Dr. Sauer is internationally known for his pioneering work in the development of egg and embryo donation. Additionally, he has gained notoriety with his work with HIV-seropositive men and women needing fertility care. Currently he is actively engaged in assisting researchers at Columbia University in developing stem cell lines using gametes procured from egg donors.

Dr. Sauer has been married to his wife Lynda for 30 years, has four children, and resides outside of Manhattan in northern New Jersey.