An Examination of the Utilitarian Ethical Theory Applied to Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), In Vitro Fertilization, Surrogacy and Human Cloning
Reproductive ethics is a branch of bioethics that focuses on the moral issues concerning reproduction, including abortion, contraception, eugenics, prenatal diagnosis, and reproductive technologies It is a complex and controversial field of study and requires careful consideration when making ethical choices.
The first example in reproductive ethics is abortion. Abortion refers to the termination of a pregnancy and is one of the most controversial issues in reproductive ethics. The moral dilemmas associated with abortion include the rights of the mother, the rights of the unborn fetus, and the principles of religious beliefs and personal opinion. For instance, a woman may be faced with the ethical dilemma of whether to terminate a pregnancy due to financial or familial reasons, or because continuing the pregnancy would cause physical or mental harm. Similarly, a woman may also be faced with the ethical dilemma of whether to terminate a pregnancy due to the unborn fetus’s health.
The second example in reproductive ethics is contraception. Contraception refers to the use of methods or products to prevent pregnancy. Contraceptives can be divided into two main categories – barrier methods, such as condoms and intrauterine devices, and hormonal methods, such as birth control pills and implants. Contraception is a contentious issue as it can raise ethical questions around autonomy and individual rights. For example, some argue that individuals should have the right to choose whether to use contraceptives, while others argue that contraception should not be used as a means of population control.
The third example in reproductive ethics is eugenics. Eugenics refers to the practice of controlled breeding to produce desired characteristics in a population, with the aim of improving overall health and intelligence. Eugenics can be used to reduce the prevalence of genetic diseases and disabilities and to increase the likelihood of desirable traits in a population. However, it can also be used for unethical purposes, such as forced sterilization for individuals deemed unfit for reproduction. As such, eugenics raises many ethical questions, such as whether it is morally justifiable to interfere with natural selection for the sake of creating a ‘better’ population.
The fourth example in reproductive ethics is prenatal diagnosis. Prenatal diagnosis is the process of identifying genetic or developmental abnormalities in a fetus. It is a valuable tool that can be used to detect potential health issues early, allowing parents to make informed decisions about their pregnancy. However, it raises ethical issues, such as whether it should be used to identify gender or to determine whether an unborn fetus should be aborted.
The fifth example in reproductive ethics is reproductive technologies. Reproductive technologies refer to a range of techniques used to assist with reproduction, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) and surrogacy. These technologies can be extremely beneficial as they allow individuals who may have difficulty conceiving to have children of their own. However, they can also raise ethical implications, such as the control of who can access such technologies and the potential exploitation of vulnerable individuals.
In conclusion, reproductive ethics is a complex and multifaceted field of study which requires careful consideration when making ethical choices. The five examples discussed in this essay – abortion, contraception, eugenics, prenatal diagnosis, and reproductive technologies – all raise important ethical questions and provide us with an opportunity to reflect on our own beliefs and values.