Reproductive Rights

Introduction

The advent of modern technology in artificial reproduction has raised numerous ethical concerns. It is amongst the most controversial subject that has gained the attention of widespread debate and extensive media coverage. Artificial reproduction can lead to a number of problems both legal and ethical. However, in this paper we are going to discuss the ethical issues in relation to the birth of 8 babies to one woman in Los Angeles.

Nadya Suleman, a resident of California, gave birth to 8 babies (two girls and six boys) by Cesarean section, on January 26, 2009 at the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center. As soon as the news came out people were happy; however, with the revealing news of Miss. Suleman being an unmarried, unemployed woman who is 33, criticism started to drew quickly on the news. Public opinions were getting against Miss Suleman; even her mother was in a panic on this news. Experts belonging to the field of artificial fertility are of the opinion that Miss Suleman and her 8 babies are a serious breach of the guidelines for artificial fertility.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) was used for conceiving; which is a modern method of embryo transplant. Studies have revealed that the babies conceived through this method are at a higher risk of malformation and cerebral palsy. The question is whether the parents are ready to accept this risk legitimately (Bellini and Bunocore, pp. 93-99). This is a separate concern because, in this case, there was not a couple who decided to go for the procreation technique; rather it was a single, unemployed woman who decided to have children, which is not ethical if seen from religious as well as medical point of view.

Discussion

Since Miss Suleman was unemployed and not married, there were religious as well as fiscal concerns about having 8 babies ...