Reproductive Ethics

New Reproductive Technologies In vitro fertilization/Artificial insemination, etc., etc. Types of Parenthood: a)Genetic Mother b)Genetic Father c)Gestational Mother d)Nurturing Mother e)Nurturing Father No longer need A, C, and D to be the same woman Which one is the "real" parent?

Reproductive Ethics How far should we control our own reproduction? Cloning Genetic altering of cloned material Sperm/egg "catalogues" What do we do with non-implanted embryos? Can sperm be harvested post-mortem and used for reproduction?

Reproductive Ethics & the New Reproductive Technologies Issues: 1)Parenthood: who's the "real" parent? 2)Surrogate Parenthood Should it be allowed? If allowed, what are the conditions for a surrogate parenthood contract? Right of first refusal Health of Gestational Mother What if there are defects? Who's responsible

Reproductive Ethics & the New Reproductive Technologies 2)Surrogate Parenthood (cont.) Does the surrogate mother have rights to the child post partum? The status of the surrogate mother is dependant on her role, e.g. provider of the womb, provider of the egg(s) Cases: Baby M and Mary Beth Whitehead

Reproductive Ethics & the New Reproductive Technologies 3)Cloning For: Ideal candidate for transplants Replacing lost children Selecting traits Against:Against Nature or God Non-natural means of reproduction Reduces genetic diversity Produces "designer children"

Reproductive Ethics & the New Reproductive Technologies 3)Cloning (cont.) Related Issue: Genetic altering of cloned material Possible problem: "age" of clone Other issues: status of first cloned cells status of mature human clone

Reproductive Ethics & the New Reproductive Technologies 4)Sperm/Egg "Catalogues" 5)What do we do with non-implanted embryos? 6)What is the moral status of being from fertilized egg to embryo to birth? Should there be research on embryos? Does it have the right to be implanted, to thrive, to not be harmed? Should frozen embryos be thought of as property? Davis case

Reproductive Ethics & the New Reproductive Technologies 7)Can sperm be harvested post-mortem and used for reproduction? 8)At what point does the number of children born at one time become unacceptable? Septuplets? Octuplets? Nonuplets? 9)Is there an upper limit on the age of the mother? 55? 60? 65? 10)Are there unacceptable reasons for having children, e.g. Ayala case?

1)When does personhood begin? Personhood= Has the right to life = Has the right to develop = Has the right not to be harmed Abortion Some answers: a)At conception b)When electrical activity begins c)At "quickening" d)At viability: the end of the 2nd trimester (24 weeks) Usually means :national viability," not needing elaborate technical support

Currently, babies can be saved after about 21 weeks, grams Abortion 2)What kind of question is "when does personhood begin?" a)A scientific question b)A religious or philosophical question 3)Whenever personhood begins, does anything override it? a)Harm to the mother? b)A woman's right to control her own body?