The Pros And Cons Of Reproductive Technologies
Reproductive Technologies and Ethical Issues.
Introduction:
Reproduction has always been among the most significant of human activities, and it will no doubt continue to be so. However, having children has certainly been filled with different meanings throughout different cultures and historical times. With In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) and Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD), infertile couples are able to produce a disease and illness free baby who otherwise would not have been able to. However this technology creates many implications to the meaning of reproduction. This raises issues in research into further reproductive technology as well as other ethical issues.
IVF is the process where a female’s gamete is fertilised by a male’s …show more content…
Research has also made it possible to preselect other even minor traits such as hair and eye colour. This raises ethical issues in regard to who is legally able to access and take advantage of such developments in technology. Mainly because there are fears that creating life within a lab will become a product and take away the value of life. There are other ways to create a family if IVF is unsuccessful. There is the possibility of generating a baby through egg/sperm donation or even surrogacy. It raises questions of the child’s parents on birth certificates and even nationality if surrogacy has occurred overseas. Such knowledge is the reasoning for laws and regulations involving IVF. According to ART Australia (Assisted Reproductive Technologies) and South Australian Reproductive Technology act (1988) PGD is only available to infertile couples and or couples risking transmission of a genetic defect. It is a criminal offence if these laws are not complied with. [1] [2] [3] …show more content…
For some couples, fertilisation issues or genetic disorders prevent the natural process, or expose undetermined risk. However, should this technology be only available to those who have medical impediments to successful fertilisation and carrying a healthy child? Such modifications to the baby as stated above involving the pre-selection of minor traits such as hair and eye colour may appeal to those wishing for a designer baby. This creates the option of choice over chance, and a kind of child parents want to have. Does this ensure a healthier and happier relationship between child and
Introduction:
Reproduction has always been among the most significant of human activities, and it will no doubt continue to be so. However, having children has certainly been filled with different meanings throughout different cultures and historical times. With In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) and Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD), infertile couples are able to produce a disease and illness free baby who otherwise would not have been able to. However this technology creates many implications to the meaning of reproduction. This raises issues in research into further reproductive technology as well as other ethical issues.
IVF is the process where a female’s gamete is fertilised by a male’s …show more content…
Research has also made it possible to preselect other even minor traits such as hair and eye colour. This raises ethical issues in regard to who is legally able to access and take advantage of such developments in technology. Mainly because there are fears that creating life within a lab will become a product and take away the value of life. There are other ways to create a family if IVF is unsuccessful. There is the possibility of generating a baby through egg/sperm donation or even surrogacy. It raises questions of the child’s parents on birth certificates and even nationality if surrogacy has occurred overseas. Such knowledge is the reasoning for laws and regulations involving IVF. According to ART Australia (Assisted Reproductive Technologies) and South Australian Reproductive Technology act (1988) PGD is only available to infertile couples and or couples risking transmission of a genetic defect. It is a criminal offence if these laws are not complied with. [1] [2] [3] …show more content…
For some couples, fertilisation issues or genetic disorders prevent the natural process, or expose undetermined risk. However, should this technology be only available to those who have medical impediments to successful fertilisation and carrying a healthy child? Such modifications to the baby as stated above involving the pre-selection of minor traits such as hair and eye colour may appeal to those wishing for a designer baby. This creates the option of choice over chance, and a kind of child parents want to have. Does this ensure a healthier and happier relationship between child and