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Reproductive Technologies
Reproductive EthicsReproductive Ethics
You’re the Counselor!!—Case 6.1
How would you counsel a couple who had come to you for advice on dealing with infertility?
Emotional Factors Moral Issues
You’re the Counselor!!—Case 6.1
How would you counsel a couple who had come to you for advice on dealing with infertility?
Emotional Factors Moral Issues
Different Technologies to Make a Baby
Different Technologies to Make a Baby
Inter-Uterine Insemination By Husband By Donor (also egg donation)
In Vitro Fertilization Family GIFT (Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer), Z(zygote)IFT, IVF
Surrogate Motherhood ICSI (Sperm Injection)
Inter-Uterine Insemination By Husband By Donor (also egg donation)
In Vitro Fertilization Family GIFT (Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer), Z(zygote)IFT, IVF
Surrogate Motherhood ICSI (Sperm Injection)
Types of Surrogate Motherhood
Types of Surrogate Motherhood
Genetic--surrogate provides egg and womb
Gestational--surrogate only provides womb
Commercial--done for a $10,000-50,000 fee plus expenses
Altruistic--done for expenses only
Genetic--surrogate provides egg and womb
Gestational--surrogate only provides womb
Commercial--done for a $10,000-50,000 fee plus expenses
Altruistic--done for expenses only
Theological FoundationsTheological Foundations
Medical Technology in Theological Perspective Dominion Mandate (Gen. 1-2) Impact of the Entrance of Sin Stewardship over Creation Place of General Revelation and Common Grace
Must Evaluate the Uses of Technology
Medical Technology in Theological Perspective Dominion Mandate (Gen. 1-2) Impact of the Entrance of Sin Stewardship over Creation Place of General Revelation and Common Grace
Must Evaluate the Uses of Technology
Theological FoundationsTheological Foundations
Genesis 1-2--The Context for Procreation Permanent, monogamous, heterosexual marriage
Novel ways of procreation in the OT Surrogacy Levirate Marriage Polygamy
Other “violations” of the norm in Genesis 1-2 Divorce
Genesis 1-2--The Context for Procreation Permanent, monogamous, heterosexual marriage
Novel ways of procreation in the OT Surrogacy Levirate Marriage Polygamy
Other “violations” of the norm in Genesis 1-2 Divorce
Theological FoundationsTheological Foundations
Use of Gen. 1-2 by NT Authors Romans 1 I Timothy 2 I Cor. 11 Matt. 19
Conclusion---Genesis account of creation carries great weight with NT authors.
Use of Gen. 1-2 by NT Authors Romans 1 I Timothy 2 I Cor. 11 Matt. 19
Conclusion---Genesis account of creation carries great weight with NT authors.
Theological FoundationsTheological Foundations
Sacredness of Human Life--Being in the Image of God
Continuity of Personal Identity from Earliest Points of one’s life Psalm 139, Psalm 51 (Exodus 21: 22-25)
Doctrine of the Incarnation Embryos and Biblical Teaching
Sacredness of Human Life--Being in the Image of God
Continuity of Personal Identity from Earliest Points of one’s life Psalm 139, Psalm 51 (Exodus 21: 22-25)
Doctrine of the Incarnation Embryos and Biblical Teaching
Moral Status of Fetuses and Embryos
Moral Status of Fetuses and Embryos
Thesis: Personhood begins at conception
Common views of a person assume a continuity of personal identity from the earliest points of pregnancy
Personhood is a matter of essence, not function. Personhood is not a degreed property.
The difference between an embryo in the lab and and fetus in the womb is one of location
Thesis: Personhood begins at conception
Common views of a person assume a continuity of personal identity from the earliest points of pregnancy
Personhood is a matter of essence, not function. Personhood is not a degreed property.
The difference between an embryo in the lab and and fetus in the womb is one of location
Moral Status of Fetuses and Embryos
Moral Status of Fetuses and Embryos
All adult persons are the result of a continuous process of development that begins at conception.
There is no ontologically or morally relevant break in the process from conception to birth.
Thus, one is a person from conception forward.
All adult persons are the result of a continuous process of development that begins at conception.
There is no ontologically or morally relevant break in the process from conception to birth.
Thus, one is a person from conception forward.
Theological Parameters--Summary
Theological Parameters--Summary
Sanctity of Marriage Sacredness of life from conception onward
“Be fruitful and multiply” Rescuing the vulnerable Adoption as the metaphor for our relationship with God
Technology a qualified good
Sanctity of Marriage Sacredness of life from conception onward
“Be fruitful and multiply” Rescuing the vulnerable Adoption as the metaphor for our relationship with God
Technology a qualified good
Catholic Reproductive Ethics
Catholic Reproductive Ethics
Key distinction: assisting vs. replacing normal sex in marriage
Inseparable connection between the “unitive” and “procreative” aspects of sex
“it is never permitted to separate these different aspects so such a degree as positively to exclude either the procreative intention or the conjugal relation.”
Key distinction: assisting vs. replacing normal sex in marriage
Inseparable connection between the “unitive” and “procreative” aspects of sex
“it is never permitted to separate these different aspects so such a degree as positively to exclude either the procreative intention or the conjugal relation.”
Catholic Reproductive Ethics
Catholic Reproductive Ethics
Menopause?? Scripture treats the unitive element of sex as a sufficient end (I Corinthians 7, Song of Solomon)
Rhythm Method of birth control could compromise this separation.
Genesis 1-2 require procreation in the sphere of marriage, not sexual relations.
Menopause?? Scripture treats the unitive element of sex as a sufficient end (I Corinthians 7, Song of Solomon)
Rhythm Method of birth control could compromise this separation.
Genesis 1-2 require procreation in the sphere of marriage, not sexual relations.
Case 6.2--for Discussion
Case 6.2--for Discussion
Couple married 4 years. Man infertile due to untreated mumps as a kid.
Wife wants a sperm donor so she can “have her own child.”
Husband is uneasy about having a procreative “pinch hitter.”
Couple married 4 years. Man infertile due to untreated mumps as a kid.
Wife wants a sperm donor so she can “have her own child.”
Husband is uneasy about having a procreative “pinch hitter.”
Cases for DiscussionCases for Discussion
Couple married for 6 years. Married when older so started trying to conceive immediately
Trying for 4 years. Physician recommends an egg donor since wife is in her early 40’s.
Couple married for 6 years. Married when older so started trying to conceive immediately
Trying for 4 years. Physician recommends an egg donor since wife is in her early 40’s.
Questions About Specific Technologies
Questions About Specific Technologies Problems with the IVF Family
Disposition of Leftover Embryos Selective Termination of Pregnancies
Problems with Surrogate Motherhood Is it the sale of children? In gestational surrogacy, who is the mother?
Potential legal problems Contested Custody Genetic Abnormality
Problems with the IVF Family Disposition of Leftover Embryos Selective Termination of Pregnancies
Problems with Surrogate Motherhood Is it the sale of children? In gestational surrogacy, who is the mother?
Potential legal problems Contested Custody Genetic Abnormality
Surrogacy Case-Case 6.3
Surrogacy Case-Case 6.3
Couple married for 10 years, trying for 6 years
Conceived through IVF--triplets. Miscarried the triplets and had massive uterine hemorrhage.
Underwent emergency hysterectomy They have 5 embryos left in storage from IVF
They want to hire a surrogate to carry them
Couple married for 10 years, trying for 6 years
Conceived through IVF--triplets. Miscarried the triplets and had massive uterine hemorrhage.
Underwent emergency hysterectomy They have 5 embryos left in storage from IVF
They want to hire a surrogate to carry them
The Brave New WorldThe Brave New World
Human Procreative Cloning Artificial Wombs Fetal Egg Donors Gender Selection Designer Embryos Postmenopausal Pregnancies Brain Death and Pregnancy Posthumous Procreation
Human Procreative Cloning Artificial Wombs Fetal Egg Donors Gender Selection Designer Embryos Postmenopausal Pregnancies Brain Death and Pregnancy Posthumous Procreation