T M 12 E T I K A M E D I S (1)

Part IV : Ethical Issues in Biomedical Science

Chapter 12 Starting Human Life: The New Reproductive Technologies



Chapter 13 Genetic Information: Use and Abuse

Keywords:assisted reproduction; embryo; embryo research; ethics; fetus/foetus; fertilisation; fertility; gamete; in vitro; zygote


Most humans have a strong drive to reproduce.


For couples who cannot have children, infertility is often a tragic emotional burden.


Whether it is everyone's right to reproduce is matter of debate.


Nevertheless, there are several routes for overcoming sub-fertility, depending on the cause.


Sperm donation (with its attendant ethical problems relating to confidentiality and genetic identity) has been available for many years to overcome male sub- or infertility.


In the 1970s, in vitro fertilisation was developed.


Eggs and sperm, usually from the prospective parents, are mixed together in the lab and if fertilisation is successful, the embryo is placed into the woman's uterus or sometimes into the uterus of a surrogate mother. veloped.


In the UK, these procedures are regulated by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority.


Ethical issues include the status of the early human embryo, the creation of ‘spare’ embryos, the possibility of sex and genetic selection and the commodification of pregnancy and childbirth.



Keywords:anonymisation; confidentiality; discrimination; employers; ethics; family; human rights; insurers; responsibility; privacy


Recent developments in human genetic research have raised new, possibly unique issues.


Firstly, genetic data must remain confidential but also accessible, with permission, to researchers.


Total anonymisation of samples is not helpful because it means that useful findings can never be imparted to the person concerned; coding of samples is preferable.


Secondly, there is the matter of access by third parties. Both UNESCO and HUGO emphasise a person's rights to protection of confidential information from unauthorised access.


In several countries, employers and insurers cannot coerce people to reveal genetic information but in others the situation is less clear, raising the possibility of discrimination.


Finally there is the tension between the right of an individual to confidentiality and the needs of other family members to know about conditions that may affect them.


Although no-one is obliged to share such data, it is argued that affected individuals have a responsibility to do so.


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T M 12 E T I K A M E D I S (1)