Product Description

The development of new reproductive technologies has raised urgent questions and debates about how and by whom these treatments should be controlled. On the one hand individuals and groups have claimed access to assisted reproduction as a right, and some have also claimed that this access should be available free of charge. As well as clinically infertile heterosexual couples, this right has been claimed by single women, gay couples, post-menopausal women, and couples who wish to delay having children for various reasons. Others have argued that a desire to have children does not make it a human right, and, moreover, that there are some people who should not be assisted to become parents, on grounds of age, sexuality, or lifestyle. Mary Warnock steers a clear path through the web of complex issues underlying these views. She begins by analyzing what it means to claim something as a 'right', and goes on to discuss the cases of different groups of people. She also examines the ethical problems faced by particular types of assisted reproduction, including artificial insemination, in-vitro fertilization, and surrogacy, and argues that in the future human cloning may well be a viable and acceptable form of treatment for some types of infertility.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #591097 in Books
• Published on: 2003-08-28
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 128 pages

The Scotsman
"she is contentious, starkly matter-of-fact and makes utter sense"

Review
she is contentious, starkly matter-of-fact and makes utter sense (The Scotsman )

Telegraph
"This is practical philosophy as it should be written: concise, elegant and comprehensible."

Customer Reviews

Reproductive Philosophy


This is a splendid book, cogently written, occasionally opinionated but nonetheless a brave attempt to deal with the philosophical, moral and legal questions arising from assisted reproduction. Many opinions on this subject arise from a conflict about the essence of human nature and what it is. If the Darwinian paradigm is correct is it right to interfere with natural selection? If it is not, is it right to interfere with nature as its presents itself to us?

There is a school of theological thought which is adamantly opposed to any form of assisted reproduction. Its adherents consider the very concept means attempts to clone human beings in order to create a new breed of supermen, an idea which is seen in literature from Frankenstein to the Boys from Brazil.

The same sources oppose assisted reproduction not simply for infertile couples but for homosexuals, lesbians and potential mothers who want to avoid childbirth through surrogacy. None of these issues is as simple as might appear on first glance. Warnock carefully distinguishes between perceptions and practices of assisted reproduction which cause offence and and those which cause harm.

As Chairman of the Committee into the Enquiry into Human Fertilisation and Embryology Warnock has had practical experience discussing in depth the many issues arising from issues of assisted reproduction, including the fertilisation of women past child bearing age. These are briefly but intelligently discussed.

Warnock concludes, "I would deplore any tendency for people to become so much obsessed with their right to have a child....in the way they want....(and) the characteristics they would prefer, that they forget the sense of astonishment and gratitude that came with the birth of a child."

Whether you agree with her views or not this book provides an excellent survey of the issues involved and should be on the shelves of anyone with an interest in this most difficult - but relevant - of subjects.