Reproductive Ethics

The paper explores the justifications for the regulation of fertility medicine. Further to it the research also investigates whether parent should be allowed to choose their baby's gender or characteristics with the help of assisted reproductive technology (ART).

Many of the reproductive techniques do not treat the embryos "produced" in accord with the dignity of a human being. For instance, many reproductive technologies involve the fertilization of several embryos and selective implantation of only a few. The unselected embryos are either "disposed of" or frozen for future "use." Without a doubt any process that comprises of the creation of latest life that is going to be "liable of" or "used" is not companionable with native human pride (Eaton, 21).

All current techniques for in vitro fertilization involve the creation of excess embryos. These procedures allow for selective termination of life carrying undesirable genetic material. Some individuals who know themselves to be carriers of defective genetic material, use in vitro fertilization rather than an act of sexual intercourse to conceive their children precisely so that they can have the concepts examined for genetic anomalies, and if defective, have it discarded (Holland, 39).

Genetic screening is already being used to cleanse society of genetically imperfect children before they are born. Some think this is acceptable, but will these same people be so accepting when it is applied to adults? Screening adults for genetic diseases may lead to earlier treatment -- but it could also lead to discrimination in employment, and higher premiums for life and health insurance (Snow, 95).

If unethical sexual behavior is understood as the violation of the precept that sexual activity should take place only within heterosexual marriage, then ethical questions about consent, bodily integrity, choice, power, and vulnerability are never asked. (Traditionally, this idea has meant that sexual ethics have focused ...