Current Reproductive Technologies Psychological, Ethical, Cultural and Political Considerations

by Beckman, Linda J.; Harvey, S. Marie; Frieze, Irene Hanson

• ISBN13: 9781405135979
• ISBN10: 1405135972
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-03-18
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Summary

In order for new reproductive technologies to improve the health and well-being of women, they must be acceptable to and used by women. We need, therefore, to not only know about the technology itself; we also need to know about the individuals who intend to use the technology and factors that influence use. Accordingly, this issue focuses on the multiple determinants that influence acceptability of reproductive technologies and the policy, political and legal implications associated with their use. Topics include personal and contextual barriers to use, limited access for poor women and women of color, and the social controversy surrounding this area.

Author Biography

Linda J. Beckman is a Professor and Co-Coordinator of the Clinical Health Emphasis Area at the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University, Los Angeles. She is an Action Editor of the Psychological Issues Section of the Pro-Choice Forum website and Co-Chair of the Reproductive Issues Taskforce of the Society for the Psychology of Women. She has served as Associate Editor of the Psychology of Women Quarterly and is the author of numerous articles on women’s issues and reproductive health.

S. Marie Harvey is the Director of the Research Program on Women’s Health at the Center for the Study of Woman, University of Oregon and Professor and Chair of the Department of Public Health at Oregon State University. Her current research interests focus on the acceptability of reproductive technologies; the prevention of HIV/STIs among high-risk women, men and couples; and the influence of relationship factors on sexual risk-taking. Marie currently serves as Principal Investigator on “Women’s Acceptability of the Vaginal Diaphragm,” a three year study recently funded by the National Institute for Child Health and Human Development.