Chapter 12. Starting Human Life: The New Reproductive Technologies
- John Bryant Professor1,
- Dr Linda Baggott la Velle2,
- Revd Dr John Searle3
Published Online: 18 APR 2002
DOI: 10.1002/0470846593.ch12
Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Book Title
Bioethics for Scientists
Additional Information
How to Cite
la Velle, L. B. (2002) Starting Human Life: The New Reproductive Technologies, in Bioethics for Scientists (eds J. Bryant, L. B. la Velle and J. Searle), John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, Chichester, UK. doi: 10.1002/0470846593.ch12
Editor Information
- 1
School of Biological Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
- 2
Graduate School of Education, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- 3
Exeter & District Hospice, Exeter, UK
Publication History
- Published Online: 18 APR 2002
- Published Print: 31 MAR 2002
ISBN Information
Print ISBN: 9780471495321
Online ISBN: 9780470846599
- Summary
- Chapter
Keywords:
- assisted reproduction;
- embryo;
- embryo research;
- ethics;
- fetus/foetus;
- fertilisation;
- fertility;
- gamete;
- in vitro;
- zygote
Summary
Most humans have a strong drive to reproduce. For couples who cannot have children, infertility is often a tragic emotional burden. Whether it is everyone's right to reproduce is matter of debate. Nevertheless, there are several routes for overcoming sub-fertility, depending on the cause. Sperm donation (with its attendant ethical problems relating to confidentiality and genetic identity) has been available for many years to overcome male sub- or infertility. In the 1970s, in vitro fertilisation was developed. Eggs and sperm, usually from the prospective parents, are mixed together in the lab and if fertilisation is successful, the embryo is placed into the woman's uterus or sometimes into the uterus of a surrogate mother. In the UK, these procedures are regulated by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. Ethical issues include the status of the early human embryo, the creation of ‘spare’ embryos, the possibility of sex and genetic selection and the commodification of pregnancy and childbirth.