Ethical Dilemmas in Reproductive Technology, Essay Example

Assisted reproductive technology is heavily debated in the realm of health science ethics. Reproductive technology can be used in various ways to provide those who are infertile the ability to become parents. Because of this, the benefits of using reproductive technology outweigh the ethical dilemmas cited by critics. When is comes to health technology, the purpose is to solve and treat medical issues, and infertility is a medical issue that should be treated by the technology available.

The arguments against using reproductive technology are centered around morality and religion, and because using methods such as in-vitro fertilization, artificial insemination and surrogacy do not effectively harm society, these arguments are only valid to those who subscribe to those specific beliefs (Inhorn & Birenbaum-Carmeli, 2008). Religious views should not be included when making medical decisions, and that is why health care ethics exist. Ethics in health care rely on the real world and human effects of controversial treatments, and thus far the only issues that might arise from commonly used reproductive technology are thin and unsubstantiated claims on the sociological impacts it might have on families. These impacts are based on societal constructs and are not relative medical scientific data.

Often, religion is used as an argument against anything beyond the natural methods of childbirth. Specifically, Catholic and natural law are both used to undermine the use of reproductive technology and submit that any pregnancy or birth outside of natural procreation between and man and woman is immoral (Rae, 1993). These arguments are based solely on religious beliefs and not at all on any medical or scientific research into the use of this technology. In essence, the reproductive technologies that are commonly used in modern technology should not be judged on someone’s religious beliefs, but instead be based on actual science and the ethical treatment of those who wish to have treatments in order to raise a child and start a family.

References

Inhorn, M. C., & Birenbaum-Carmeli, D. (2008). Assisted reproductive technologies and culture change. Annual Review of Anthropology, 37, 177-196.

Rae, S. (n.d.). Brave New Families? Brave New Families? The Ethics of the New Reproductive Technologies. Retrieved September 12, 2015, from http://www.inplainsite.org/html/ethics_reproductive_technology.html