Invitro Fertilization

Ethics

In Vitro Fertilization

IVF: The Simple Case

In this article the author has a thesis of the simple case of IVF allows researchers to think about the ethics of IVF in itself, without the complications of the many other issues that can arise in different circumstances.

There are seven well-known objections that people raise to IVF. The first is that IVF is unnatural. The author argues that if one rejects medical progress on the ground that they are unnatural then they would have to reject modern medicine altogether. The second objection is that IVF is risky for the children. Singer argues that this might have been a true objection before this procedure became so commonplace but that it is no longer valid. When one takes into account the greater age of women seeking IVF, as compared with the childbearing population as a whole, it does not appear that IVF itself adds any risk. The third objection is that IVF separate the procreation and marital aspects of marriage and ends up damaging the marital relationship. The fourth objection is that IVF is illegitimate because it entails masturbation. The author claims that these two objections are hard to lend credence to outside of the religious arena. The fifth objection is that adoption is a better answer to the trouble of childlessness. The sixth objection is that IVF is a luxurious lavishness and the resources would be better spent elsewhere. Singer admits that some consideration should be given to these arguments. In an overcrowded world where there are so many kids who cannot be appropriately fed and cared for, there is something to be said about using modern medicine to produce more children. These objections are sound, but only to a small extent. In an ideal world people would be able to find loving families for all the surplus children before additional ones were produced. But in the end how much can really be based on the ideal world. The final objection is that IVF permits increased male control over reproduction and thus pressures the position of women. Singer says that this objection is one that comes from some feminists. He does not see a lot of credibility in this objection since women have been very instrumental in the development of IVF and ultimately it has to be remembered that the procedure was developed for infertile couples and not just for women.

Singer lays out each ethical objection to the simple case of IVF and then refutes each objection by showing that none of them are very strong in the whole scope of things. The author concludes that these objections should not stand in the way of a couple who sees IVF as the bet way to overcome infertility. Singer admits that there are serious questions that can be raised about how much money is being spent at a national level in regards to IVF, but compares this to the money being spent in all medical areas.

Feminist Ethics and In Vitro Fertilization

In this article the author has a thesis that IVF should be looked at from the perspective of social arrangements and cultural values that lie beneath the force to assume the risks for the sake of biological parenthood.

Sherwin starts her look at IVF from a feminist perspective by stating that capitalism, racism, sexism and elitism of the culture today have united to generate a set of outlooks which sees kids as property. Children are valued as privatized commodities, reflecting the virility and heredity of their parents. The argument goes on to say that women are convinced that their most significant purpose in life is to bear and raise children. They are told repetitively that their life is deficient and that they are missing fulfillment if they do not have kids.

According to Sherwin feminist theory helps one of focus on different dimensions of the problem. But with the issue of IVF, it is still difficult to decide whether to encourage, tolerate, modify or restrict reproductive technology. The author states that in her opinion feminist theory is a moral theory that centers on relations among people as well as on individuals. It has as a model an inter-related social fabric that gives primary bonds amid people rather than rights to independence. Because it is a theory that is overtly aware of the social, political and economic associations that exist amid people, it concentrates on the implications of actions or policies on the position of women. This the author feels that it is necessary to ask questions from the perspective of feminist ethics in addition to those whoa re normally asked from the perspective of mainstream ethical theories.

The author admits that feminist ethics will not support a wholly negative outlook towards IVF, for the reason that it does not address the obligation to care for those suffering from infertility. It is the responsibility of those who oppose further implementation of this technology to work toward the changes in the social arrangements that will lead to a reduction of the sense of need for this type of solution.