Beyond Baby M: Ethical Issues In New Reproductive Techniques (contemporary Issues In Biomedicine, Ethics, And Society)

Arthur L. Caplan It is commonly said, especially when the subject is assisted reproduction, that medical technology has out­ stripped our morality. Yet, as the essays in this volume make clear, that is not an accurate assessment of the situ­ ation. Medical technology has not overwhelmed our moral­ ity. It would be more accurate to say that our society has not yet achieved consensus about the complex ethical iss­ ues that arise when medicine tries to assist those who seek its services in order to reproduce. Nevertheless, there is no shortage of ethical opinion about what we ought to do with respect to the use of surrogate mothers, in vitro fertil­ ization, embryo transfer, artificial insemination, or fertil­ ity drugs. Nor is it entirely accurate to describe assisted repro­ duction as technology. The term "technology" carries with it connotations of machines buzzing and technicians scurrying about trying to control a vast array of equip­ ment. Yet, most of the methods used to assist reproduc­ tion that are discussed in this volume do not involve exotic technologies or complicated hardware. It is technique, more than technology, that dominates the field of assisted reproduction. Efforts to help the infertile by means of the manipu­ lation of human reproductive materials and organs date 1 2 Caplan back at least to Biblical times. Human beings have en­ gaged in all manner of sexual practices and manipulations in attempts to achieve reproduction when nature has balked at allowing life to begin. Front Matter....Pages i-viii Introduction....Pages 1-6 Front Matter....Pages 7-7 Recreating Motherhood....Pages 9-27 Science, Conscience, and Public Policy....Pages 29-43 Current Religious Perspectives on the New Reproductive Techniques....Pages 45-63 Essential Ethical Considerations for Public Policy on Assisted Reproduction....Pages 65-86 Front Matter....Pages 87-87 Medical Techniques for Assisted Reproduction....Pages 89-110 Infertility and the Role of the Federal Government....Pages 111-130 Sexuality and Assisted Reproduction....Pages 131-147 Arguing with Success....Pages 149-170 Front Matter....Pages 171-171 Surrogacy Arrangements....Pages 173-181 The Case of Baby M....Pages 183-200 Surrogate Motherhood Agreements....Pages 201-220 The Vatican Instruction and Surrogate Motherhood....Pages 221-234 Surrogacy....Pages 235-241 Surrogacy and the Family....Pages 243-259 Back Matter....Pages 261-288