Are New Reproductive Technologies Ethical?
Introduction: In recent years, the use of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) has become very popular among infertile couples. It has also raised quite a few questions concerning the ethics surrounding this procedure. The fertilization begins by harvesting the eggs from the mother and then combining them with the sperm of the father in a Petri dish. Then, the embryo is implanted into the uterus and can grow just as it naturally would until the delivery day. Most of the women that use this method have issues with their reproductive system such as blocked fallopian tubes. While this may sound like a convenient way to have a baby, the rates of actually having a child aren’t exactly ideal. The success rate is only a disappointing “average of 23 percent and even around 43 percent for women under thirty-five years of age” (Preface to “What Ethics Should Guide Reproductive Technology?”). It is a gamble to undergo this procedure in several ways; one of which is that it is very pricey. The average person would most likely only be able to afford one harvest session, which means they would have limited chances to conceive. The other gamble would be, if no children came of the procedure, the patient would be out several thousand dollars with nothing to show for it.
The topic of In Vitro Fertilization can spark some pretty heated arguments for some people based on their morals and what they think is ethical. Some of the arguments would be that “IVF turns babies into commodities that can be bought and sold” or “the disposal on unused embryos” (Preface to “What Ethics Should Guide Reproductive Technology”), which also touches on the argument about post coital contraceptives (or the morning after pill). There are also many concerns about how unregulated the clinics are, which coincides with the dialogue about the lasting effects of the treatments on the mother and child. This is why scientists should not continue to research and practice In Vitro Fertilization.
Refutation: The initial success of In Vitro Fertilization gave millions of infertile women hope because it meant that they could conceive a child where otherwise it wouldn’t have been possible, which is why many people agree with in vitro fertilization. In vitro fertilization has become more and more popular in recent years. This large jump in the numbers of children being born using IVF “in the past 20 years is changing the outlook on once controversial medical procedures” (Preface to “Are Reproductive Technologies Ethical?”). As people become more accepting of new trends, IVF procedures become more and more controversial. It can be a topic of some pretty passionate discussion between people from a more liberal standpoint and more conservative standpoints. Opposing views claim that because IVF happens outside of the body, that catholic religions believe it to be unnatural. The church frowns upon the use of IVF because of how many embryos are simply thrown away. Catholics believe that “embryos are human lives that should be protected like any other human beings” (Preface to “What Ethics Should Guide Reproductive Technology?”). Another reason the church opposes in vitro fertilization is because it challenges the traditional view of a family, which typically consists of a Mother, a Father, and the children.
Another controversy surrounding in vitro fertilization is the concern about how far science will go to refine existing technologies and explore new means of conception. Because this is a fairly unregulated practice, there are no age restrictions on older women. Some say this is a good thing because “reproductive technology has allowed women at many age levels to conceive and start a family. On the other hand, the increasing tendency to treat reproduction and conception as a medical issue has changed the social narrative as a family” (Preface to “Are Reproductive Technologies Ethical?”). Because of all of the medications and procedures that are necessary for in vitro fertilization, specialists can sometimes treat reproduction as a surgery or as an injury, instead of what it is; a new life being brought into the world. Therefore, the cons definitely out-weigh the pros in this situation which is why we should not continue the use of IVF.
Argumentation: Many people are very concerned about the lack of regulation in the fertility clinics. Brooks A. Keel, a PhD, and a professor of biomedical sciences says “A fertility doctor can literally set up a lab in his garage and hire his son or daughter to run it, and it would be perfectly legal,”( Preface to “Woman and Reproductive Health”). Even though there have been some quality control standards set for clinics that deal with women’s eggs, there is no doubt that people still get around the law. In addition to the lack of regulations, there are also painful treatments that are always very costly. There have been complaints of having a swollen abdomen, trouble breathing, and uncomfortable bloated feelings. Also, the evening of the harvesting of the eggs, you have to take shots of progesterone which cause extremely painful under-the-skin lumps.
The cost of all the procedures is around $200,000 including $4,000 worth of drugs. These drugs also come with a high risk of ovarian cancer. The main drugs of concern are Clomid, which is the first step of the IVF process, and Pergonal, which is taken to increase the number of eggs produced. Clomid is a derivative of synthetic estrogen (diethylstilbestrol) which was discovered in the 70’s “to cause a rare form of cancer in their daughters, as well as birth defects like T shaped uteruses and other anatomical distortions that make it difficult, if not impossible to carry a baby” (Preface to Woman and Reproductive Health). There have been studies done that prove the link between drugs such as Clomid and Pergonal to ovarian tumors as well. All of the risks and side effects of having the procedure done, combined with the risks and side effects of the medications, starts to add up to an alarming number of things that could go wrong. The odds would definitely not be in anyone’s favor to undergo in vitro fertilization.
Conclusion: In conclusion, there are many reasons why in vitro fertilization should not be further researched. Some of which include religious beliefs about the natural way of reproduction, which also coincides with the disposal of many unused embryos. Another reason is that the fertilization clinics that deal with women’s eggs are not regulated as much as they should be as well as the drugs that are used to increase the number of eggs produced. This can lead to increased risk of ovarian and breast cancer. Not to mention all of the painful procedures with very high price tags. If not stopping in vitro fertilization all together, we need to at least work on refining and perfecting the procedure as well as lowering the cost.
Works Cited
Kingsly, Anne. "Preface to "Are Reproductive Technologies Ethical?"" Encyclopedia of Contemporary American Social Issues 4 (2011): 1602-606. Print.
Seaman, Barbara. "Preface to "Women and Reproductive Health"" Is This Any Way to Have a Baby? (2004): 1-8. Print.
Swasti Bhattacharyya Magical Progney, Modern Technology: A Hindu Bioethics of Assisted Reproductive Technology. Albany: State University of New York Press, 2006