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Ethical Implications of Assisted Reproductive Technology Essay

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Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) is a measure used to treat infertility where both sperm and eggs are handled, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) the most common form has been used since 1981 in the United States. ART may enable individuals who were previously not able to conceive and deliver a child the ability to do so. In 2009 the Suleman Octuplets were born using the IVF technique to a single mother who also had six other children under the same methods. The Suleman Octuplets and their mother, Nadya Suleman, became a focus of interest for many based on the controversy and ethical dilemmas that surrounded their birth.
Ethical Implications in the Suleman Octuplet Case and the Theories and Principles that Apply
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Suleman’s choice to reproduce occurred with her first six children and she was incapable of supporting or caring for them therefore she should not have been allowed to have more children. The health and welfare of her first six children plus the additional ones she wanted seemed to be of little concern to Suleman. Society was already burdened with financially supporting three of her children and her choice to have more disregarded the Principle of Common Good and the potential additional burden she would place on society. English (2006) concludes that the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), established in the United Kingdom, regulates IVF by protecting patients, their children, scientific freedoms and IVF practitioners while alleviating public concern regardless of past problems is something society needs. HFEA under the Principle of Subsidiarity has been identified is charged with the ethical standards, safety and welfare of the patient, child, society, and the medical provider and with no like regulatory body in the United States individuals make their own decisions ethical or not. The ethical implication here can also be applies to Stewardship, just because you can doesn’t mean you should. IVF and its associated technology are available but should they be used in all cases where someone wants a

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