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New birth technology

New birth technology. The main forms of birth technology in common use today are Artificial Insemination - semen artificially implanted in a woman’s reproductive organs In-vitro Fertilisation (IVF) – Test tube unification of ovum and sperm.

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New birth technology

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  1. New birth technology

  2. The main forms of birth technology in common use today are • Artificial Insemination - semen artificially implanted in a woman’s reproductive organs • In-vitro Fertilisation (IVF) – Test tube unification of ovum and sperm.

  3. Other developments in the area of Artificial Research Technology (ART) • The ability to choose sex of the embryo to be implanted in womb (IVF) • Developing embryos using eggs from aborted fetuses • Cloning • Post menopausal pregnancies

  4. The Artificial Conception Act 1984 (NSW) was passed to deal with some of the issue to do with birth technology. The act is outdated and does not deal with all issues. • As a result of the act not being comprehensive many issues are dealt with ethics committees attached to NSW IVF clinics. Some issues remain unresolved however including: • Who are the child’s legal parents? The Social father, not the sperm donor is the legal father of the child, the mother who bears the child is the legal mother, not the ovum donor under the Status of Children Act 1996 (NSW) • Is it moral? There are numerous moral questions raised by these technologies, but 81% of Australians were found to support the use of ART to overcome infertility (National Bioethics Consultative Committee, 1991).

  5. Cloning is not legal in Australia • Rights of Women. Conerns have been raised that women are treated as ‘living laboratories’, particularly in experimental procedures. Women are not informed of issues to do with ART including the low success rate or risks. Women are exposed to dangerous drugs and procedures. • Rights of access to ART. Not all people have the same degree of access. • Cost is a prohibitive factor for many families, meaning ART is a privilege for the wealthy. • Age also acts to restrict access. Most IVF clinics are reluctant and rarely perform services for women aged over 50. • Family Arrangements also act to restrict access. Initially it was only available to infertile married couples, then it became available to unmarried heterosexual couples, Lesbian women do not currently have general access to IVF procedures in NSW.

  6. Death of a Spouse can prevent the use of sperm of ovum from a dead spouse, except in NSW where it is legally acceptable so long as the dead spouse or their family did not/does not object. • Effect on resultant children. Many believe that children born using ART should have the right to be informed of their genetic heritage. In 1995 Victoria passed legislation making this automatic and a registry has been set up for this purpose. • Embryo status and experimentation. More embryos are produced than are used. Doctors argue they should be able to experiment on these embryos, however, others argue that it is human life and it should not occur. Issues around this include stem cell research – you need to consult recent media articles to be up to date on this important issue. • Legal liability of donors. Should IVF clinics, doctors, etc be liable for children born for defects. As yet this issue has not been tested.

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