Ethical Implications of Assisted Reproductive Technology

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

Prior to the octuplets birth Suleman using IVF had six other children, three of these children have medical disabilities. Her first six children were being cared for by her parents, she received federal aid and disability payments for her children, and Suleman was collecting disability for herself and used this money for her IVF procedure. Bellieni & Buonocore (2006) report findings that infants born after IVF with low birth weight, which was the case the Suleman Octuplets, have increased risk of birth defects, short and long-term disabilities, neurological issues and death. Suleman’s choices from the beginning had multiple ethical implications beginning with the Principle of Beneficence and Non-maleficence. Under this principle a person should not act if the action is good but causes harm, you need to make intelligent choices for your own good and that of others, the choice to have additional children was not sound or safe. Authorities under this principle need to respect the rights of individuals and that ...

... middle of paper ...

.... Reproductive freedom and risk. Human Reproduction, 21(10), 2491-3. Retrieved February 7, 2011, from http://humrep.oxfordjournals.org/content/21/10/2491.full.pdf+html.

English, V. (2006). Autonomy versus protection--who benefits from the regulation of IVF? Human Reproduction, 21(12), 3044-9. Retrieved February 7, 2011, from http://humrep.oxfordjournals.org/content/21/12/3044.full.pdf+html/.

Haederle, M. (1999). Going too far? People Weekly, 51 (2), 101. Retrieved February 7, 2011, from http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20127384,00.html.

Scholz, T., Bartholomaus, S., Grimmer, I., Kentenich, H., & Obladen, M. (1999). Problems of multiple births after ART: medical, psychological, social and financial aspects. ? Human Reproduction website. Retrieved February 7, 2011, from http://humrep.oxfordjournals.org/content/14/12/2932.full.pdf+html.