Ethical Issues In The New Reproductive Technologies

by Hull, Richard T.

• ISBN13: 9781591023005
• ISBN10: 1591023009
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2005-07-05
• Publisher: Prometheus Books

Summary

In the last few decades, as new reproductive technologies have been developed, couples desiring children have increasingly turned to various medical interventions when natural conception has been unsuccessful. These new technologies have raised ethical concerns from various quarters, including medical ethics committees, the American Fertility Society, and the Roman Catholic Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. In this informative overview of the ethical implications of reproductive technologies, philosopher Richard T Hull offers a cross-section of the thinking of individuals specialising in the ethical and legal problems involved in this new area of medicine. The contributors reflect interests as varied as those of the enthusiastic proponent of the new reproductive technologies, the feminist opposing the exploitation of women, the social critic worrying about erosion of the responsibilities of parenting, and the traditionalist concerned with the transformation of the fundamental moral fabric and social character of the family. Many of the chapters include cases for further discussion and reflection. Also included are three speculative scenarios: selections from Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale, Aldous Huxley's Brave New World, and Gena Corea's report of the drive to develop an artificial womb. New to this edition are a glossary, which provides succinct definitions of highly technical terms and Web sites for further information, and a thorough index. This excellent collection of expert articles will stimulate appreciation of the complex and muti-tiered character of moral decision-making as it is experienced by patients, medical professionals, and legislators and jurists charged with preserving, protecting, and applying justly the principles of society.

Author Biography

Richard T. Hull, professor emeritus of philosophy at the State University of New York at Buffalo

Table of Contents

Preface	xi
Acknowledgments	xiii
Legal and Moral Claims about the Right to Assistance in Reproduction	1	(54)
Review of the Issues	1	(5)
Preview of the Selections	6	(3)
The Constitutional Aspects of Procreative Liberty	9	(14)
Instruction on Respect for Human Life in its Origin and on the Dignity of Procreation: Replies to Certain Questions of the Day	23	(22)
Ethical Considerations of New Reproductive Technologies	45	(10)
Artificial Insemination	55	(40)
Cases for Preliminary Discussion	55	(1)
Review of the Issues	56	(6)
Preview of the Selections	62	(1)
The Subversive Sperm: ``A False Strain of Blood''	63	(14)
Gena Corea
``There is of course the distinction dictated by nature'': Law and the Problem of Paternity	77	(18)
Carol Smart
Fertility Drugs, GIFT, and IVF	95	(66)
Cases for Preliminary Discussion	95	(2)
Review of the Issues	97	(5)
Preview of the Selections	102	(3)
The Ethics of In Vitro Fertilization	105	(14)
Arthur L. Caplan
Test-Tube Babies: Ethical Considerations	119	(12)
LeRoy Walters
Human In Vitro Fertilization: A Conservative View	131	(18)
Hans O. Tiefel
A Criticism of Moral Conservatism's View of IVF and ET	149	(12)
Richard M. Zaner
Gestational Surrogacy and Surrogate Motherhood	161	(58)
Cases for Preliminary Discussion	161	(1)
Review of the Issues	162	(5)
Preview of the Selections	167	(2)
Surrogate Mothers: Not So Novel After All	169	(12)
John A. Robertson
In the Matter of Baby M., A Pseudonym for an Actual Person	181	(18)
Hon. Robert N. Wilentz
The Baby Broker Boom	199	(4)
George J. Annas
The Aftermath of Baby M.: Proposed State Laws on Surrogate Motherhood	203	(16)
Lori B. Andrews
Fetal Monitoring, Sex Preselection, Non-Reproductive Uses of Fetuses, and Forced Medical Treatment of Pregnant Women	219	(78)
Cases for Preliminary Discussion	219	(2)
Review of the Issues	221	(3)
Preview of the Selections	224	(3)
Moral Obligations to the Not-Yet-Born: The Fetus as Patient	227	(16)
Thomas H. Murray
Compelled Medical Treatment of Pregnant Women: Life, Liberty, and Law in Conflict	243	(20)
Lawrence J. Nelson
Nancy Milliken
Genetic Choice	263	(20)
Michael D. Bayles
The Ethical Options in Transplanting Fetal Tissue	283	(14)
Mary B. Mahowald
Jerry Silver
Robert A. Ratcheson
Social Consequences of Increasing Infertility, State Control of Gestation, and the Possibility of Artificial Wombs: The Future of Reproduction?	297	(36)
Cases for Preliminary Discussion	297	(2)
Review of the Issues	299	(1)
Preview of the Selections	300	(3)
Historical Notes on The Handmaid's Tale	303	(10)
Margaret Atwood
The Central London Hatchery: Chapter One of Brave New World	313	(10)
Aldous Huxley
The Artificial Womb: An Escape from ``The Dark and Dangerous Place'': Chapter Twelve of The Mother Machine	323	(10)
Gena Corea
Glossary	333	(28)
About the Authors	361	(4)
Index	365