Discuss some of the anthropological challenges raised by the introduction of NRT’s (New Reproductive Technologies).
In the world we live today, technology plays a very important role in the construction of our society. By the means of new technologies, new theories, ideologies and perspectives are being applied to understand social phenomena. Society has gone, and is still going through a new revolution, because technology has changed the way we look at different sectors in our lives, such as in the way we communicate, social institutions, different jobs and so on. In this assignment, I am going to write about new reproductive technologies and the impacts these leave regarding the family unit, as such technologies can change the
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On the other hand, in for example China, sperm donation is less accepted than egg donation as they believe mostly in patriarchal values and patrilineage continuity. Such acceptance can also be influenced by cultural constructions of gender. This can be seen, according to Haimes (1993), in Britain and the United States, where egg donation is seen as asexual and altruistic, such that Becker (2000) argues that because of this, a family member might be accepted to be the egg donor. On the other hand sperm donation is seen as sexualized, and in this case having sperm donating from a family member is not so encouraged. (Levine; 2008; 381-383)
Couples undergoing such reproduction technologies, or those parents who have already did, would rather keep things secret. It is very common that parents would hide the fact that they’ve gone under these procedures, such that some won’t even tell their whole family, and not even the children born by these reproduction systems. In vitro fertilization, which is one of the less technologies being debated, is still being concealed by some people as in certain cases it uses the parents genetics, but they still hide it because it is considered unorthodox and could designate the child. (Modell 1989) IVF as time goes by is getting used to by people, but many still argue against the fact that donor insemination by an outsider
In reproductive technology, ethical decisions should focus on the good of the children, their individual parents, and families, and let us not forget the good health and common good of the larger society (Morrison, 2009). Exercising the principles of ethics can assist in finding common ground in NRT. Bioethical issues include the appropriate use of pre-implantation genetic diagnostic screening, use, storage and destruction of excess IVF embryos, and research involving embryos. “NRT research requires human participants, donors and donated embryos, oocytes and sperm” (Adelaide Centre for Bioethics and Culture, 2013). Ethics committees have detailed expected behaviors/regulations that are supposed to be followed if participating in this type of medical treatment. In fact, advisory groups and researchers have encouraged participants to disclose the fact of gamete donation to the offspring, and some clinics will aid in assisting future contact if all members agree. (American Society for Reproductive Medicine, 2014). As a minimum, donors, and recipients have an obligation to disclose non-identifying medical information. Should a medical issue arise in the future, all participants have a
New areas of science often raise questions about safety. Reflecting back on the past medical technologies invented, people have always opposed it but often benefit from it later on in life. The use of in-vitro fertilization, for instance, was once a controversial issue. Some people worried that society could discriminate against humans produced as a result of IVF and humans could spread diseases. Furthermore, its usefulness cannot be predicted because it is just a research tool, and so on. Today, those worries and concerns have not manifested, but instead have brought joy and happiness to families. The people born through IVF process are as happy and equal as any other average child. It is
The first child born through in vitro fertilization was born in 1978. Despite the amount of time that has passed from then to now, in vitro is still very much experimental. Although there has been improvement in the probability that the patient will bear a child since the end of 1980 where in a study only 5.4% of cases were successful (Bernholz, 1984), going through the process of in vitro fertilization still does not guarantee a child. In the beginning stages where in vitro fertilization was fairly new, there was some push back, especially morally. Many thought that it was wrong for scientists to “play God” and create life. As with anything else, the times have changes and so have many people’s opinions. Although nearly impossible for all people to agree on one topic, the use of in vitro fertilization has become more widely accepted for patients who deal with infertility issues.
Within the first page of this book, Susan Martha Kahn explains how “many Israelis have enthusiastically embraced new reproductive technologies as reasonable solutions to childlessness (Kahn 2000:1),” which sets the tone for this account as a whole, presenting the idea that childlessness is a problem to be solved in Israeli culture. This idea is engrained in the culture, and a barren woman is the center of sympathy. The biblical decree to “be fruitful and multiply” has a very important role for Jewish individuals, many of whom consider reproduction as “an imperative religious duty” Kahn 2000: 3). There is an evident pressure to become a parent in this kinship system, and this pressure falls on virtually all women, regardless of marital status. Many women use New Reproductive Technologies (NRTs) in order to fulfill this duty and give into this pressure, whether explicitly or implicitly; as many women desire to follow the Bible’s commandment, some wish to evade constant questions regarding children, others simply wish to become a mother to fit into the role they picture themselves in, and taking advantage of these treatments is a last resort for some to achieve motherhood (Kahn 2000:17). However, it is important to recognize that, as explained by a rabbi, “she is not obligated to procreate… the obligation to procreate only falls on the man” (Kahn 2000:57). Despite the male obligation to reproduce, women are still socially expected to become mothers. This access to NRTs makes
The embryo is then implanted in the mother’s uterus to experience a traditional pregnancy and birth. The only thing different for these children is their means of conception. This idea of gene therapy may have become a feat of science that could potentially save countless before they are ever endangered, but with all new advancements there comes opposition. Many people argue that this means of medical practice goes against human nature and that taking randomness out of the creation of life betrays
Some scientists also fail to see any benefits of this technology and believe that germ-line engineering fails to be necessary. They “are adamant that germ-line engineering is being pushed ahead with ‘false arguments’” (Regalado). Through in vitro fertilization, people fertilize several embryos in order to choose a healthy embryo that lacks the disease-causing gene. This process eliminates disease from the offspring without altering the genes of all future generations, and this form of fertilization is understood and accepted with no chance of unknown, negative effects. Many scientists agree that germ-line engineering, in which this technology is used to alter embryos and pass changes to offspring and all future generations, is unethical
ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGIES (ARTs) can be very helpful for certain patients, but ethical concerns have been raised about the inherent nature of specific techniques and the contexts in which many techniques are used. Physicians play important roles in supporting those who wish to become parents and in educating patients about impediments to fertilization and ways to promote conception. We discuss various ethical issues surrounding ARTs, including family relationships, informed choice, gender issues, embryo status and the commercialization of reproduction, as well as legal and policy issues. We examine the empirical evidence of the effectiveness of ARTs and suggest ways to
The author presents examples, where couples had to go through devastating loses, as their unborn children was either diagnosed with life shortening diseases, or died prematurely. Examples of miscarriages and severely premature births are also the reality for many of the couples reproducing the natural way. However, the IVF-Treatment allows couples to sort out ‘bad’ embryos from the good ones, allowing science to deliver a nearly guaranteed healthy baby – of the preferred sex – to the couple. With this in mind, people with money is able to sidestep the natural risks associated
Hammons, Stacy A. “Assisted Reproductive Technologies: Changing Conceptions of Motherhood?” Affilia: Journal of Women and Social Work, Vol.23, No.3, August 2008, pp. 270-280.
. Rapid development of medicine in the 20th century couldn’t shy away from this side of medicine. New ideas about physiological and pathophysiological processes of productive (genital) system of a man, contemporary approaches towards diagnostics, appearance of new diseases, change of therapeutic methods and preventive measures to avoid pregnancy, appearance of assisted reproductive technologies and prenatal diagnosis lead not only to creation of new specializations in obstetrics and gynecology, but also to appearance of new moral and ethical issues in medical practice. The development of prenatal diagnosis has led to the appearance of new medical indications for the artificial termination of pregnancy.
She thinks that the cases of family facing infertility are increasing. According to her if there are valid reasons there should not be any barriers to use “In Vitro Fertilization”, but the world’s traditional view of human reproduction is the product of sexual activity between a man and woman in a matrimonial bond. The society fears that In Vitro, will replace the natural method of conception which will lead people not to believe in marriage and having children without a partner. She argued that use of assisted reproduction should be accepted by the society, within the moral
The principles of ethics can assist in finding a middle ground on reproductive technologies by forcing the healthcare provider to consider first the patient and their well-being above all else, yet keeping in consideration the benefits and morality of the care they are giving. More often than not, there are more than two sides to every argument, especially when it comes to the latest reproductive technologies. “To obtain justifiable resolutions of these
Assuming that the scientists do not charge and arm and a leg for the procedures done to change a life, in the world today some parents might use the technique of artificial insemination. The parents who use this are using it as a last resort, because they are unable to have a child together. This is acceptable, because they want to have a child; they do not want to custom design their children.
This article describes how and why there has been an increase in demand even though there are ethical issues. The article states, “‘People want it. It’s legal,’ said Dr. Michael Feinman, medical director of HRC Fertility offices in Westlake Village and Encino. ‘In a competitive market, it’s obviously a way to acquire other patients’” (“Lab Methods”).
Artificial reproductive technology (ART) is defined as procedures which stimulate a woman 's ovaries to produce eggs, the eggs are then removed, combined with sperm, and then returned to a woman 's body (Bell, 2016). ART is becoming more and more popular throughout that globe. This method of conceiving children gives women who may be struggling with infertility options that were not possible before the advent of such methods. ART is relevant to the sociological definition of global health because it is evidence of the fact that our world has become interdependent especially when it comes to medical technology. However with ART comes the notion of the culture of disguise and in many countries this is an integral part of artificial reproductive technology process. With that being said, sociologists should look to study and understand the culture of disguise in ART as it pertains to global health and it shapes interactions between people and the society they live in.