7 Issues Arising From Assisted Reproduction (Bioethics) (By Ogbule Chibuzo Isaac)

(Disclaimer: The guest posts do not necessarily align with Philosocom's manager, Mr. Tomasio Rubinshtein's beliefs, thoughts, or feelings. The point of guest posts is to allow a wide range of narratives from a wide range of people. To apply for a guest post of your own, please send your request to mrtomasio@philosocom.com)

Mr. Rubinshtein's Note: Welcome to Philosocom's second bioethics article. The first article on the subject was written by me, several years ago, on cloning. Should Philosocom have a third article on this philosophical niche (as bioethics is still ethics), I will turn it into a subcategory. Please enjoy this article.

Article Synopsis by Mr. J. Igwe and Co.

(Philosocom's O. C. Isaac Articles)

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Assisted reproduction refers to the use of medical techniques to help individuals or couples conceive a child. While it has provided hope and options for many people facing fertility challenges, it also raises several ethical issues. Here are some of the key ethical concerns associated with assisted reproduction:

1. Consent and autonomy: Assisted reproduction often involves various interventions, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), gamete donation, and surrogacy. These procedures require the informed consent of all parties involved, including donors, recipients, and surrogates. Ethical concerns can arise if there is coercion, exploitation, or inadequate understanding of the risks and implications of the procedures. It is crucial to ensure that all individuals involved have the freedom to make autonomous decisions regarding their reproductive choices.

2. Allocation of resources: Assisted reproduction techniques can be expensive, making access to these procedures limited to individuals with financial means. This raises concerns about equitable distribution of resources. Access to fertility treatments should ideally be based on medical need rather than financial status, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of socioeconomic background, have equal opportunities to pursue parenthood.

3. Multiple embryos and selective reduction: During IVF, multiple embryos are often created to increase the chances of successful pregnancy. This practice can result in multiple pregnancies, which carry higher risks for both the mother and the fetuses. In such cases, selective reduction may be offered, where one or more embryos are terminated to reduce the number of fetuses. The decision-making process surrounding selective reduction raises ethical questions about the value and respect for human life.

4. Donor anonymity and identity disclosure: Assisted reproduction frequently involves the use of donated gametes (sperm or eggs). The anonymity of donors has traditionally been upheld, but some individuals born through donor conception have expressed a desire to know their genetic origins.

Balancing the rights and interests of the child, the donor, and the parents can be challenging, and ethical considerations arise regarding the disclosure of donor identity and the right to genetic information.

5. Commercialization and exploitation: Assisted reproduction can create a market for reproductive services, including gamete donation and surrogacy. Concerns arise when financial incentives lead to exploitation, commodification of human reproductive materials, or the potential for individuals to be coerced or forced into reproductive arrangements.

Ethical guidelines and regulations are necessary to prevent the exploitation of vulnerable individuals and to ensure that the interests of all parties involved are protected.

6. Health risks and long-term consequences: Assisted reproduction techniques, such as hormonal stimulation, egg retrieval, and embryo transfer, carry risks for the physical and psychological well-being of individuals involved. Ethical considerations include ensuring that individuals are fully informed about the potential risks and long-term consequences of these procedures, and that appropriate safeguards are in place to minimize harm.

7. Designer babies and eugenics: Advances in reproductive technologies, such as preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) and gene editing techniques like CRISPR-Cas9, raise concerns about the potential for creating "designer babies." The ability to select or modify specific traits in embryos raises ethical questions about the limits of parental choice, the potential for exacerbating social inequalities, and the ethical implications of altering the human germline.

These are just a few of the many ethical issues that arise in the context of assisted reproduction. Addressing these concerns requires ongoing dialogue, thoughtful regulation, and adherence to ethical principles that prioritize the well-being, autonomy, and dignity of all individuals involved.

Conclusion

The question of whether the end justifies the means is a complex one. An issue that deserves debate and questioning. But if there is a question we should keep on debating about, is if the ends justify the means; if we should risks said problems and make them frequent in our world, in the name of having children.

Mr. Rubinshtein's Note: If possible, we can also choose to adopt, according to this U.S government site, There are 391k children and youth at least in America. Perhaps we should "cut the middle man" when there are already children that can be raised and loved in our world. The "middle man" being assisted reproduction technology (ART).