Module 4 Fertilization to Birth

2.4.4 page 3

Reflect and Connect

The opinions surrounding reproductive technologies are, as with most things in life, based on individuals’ experiences and exposures to the issue in question. In North America, there have been no restraints placed on families as to the number of children one family can have. In 1979, China implemented a ‘one child policy’, to deal with the countries growing population. Chinese families were expected to have only one child, which the government believed would alleviate social and environmental problems. The Chinese government reviewed this policy in February of 2008, at which time it was decided to maintain the implementation of the ‘one child policy’ for another ten years.

Write a reflection of how this policy would impact your family (present and future) and our society if it were implemented in Alberta. How would this policy be enforced or adhered to? What are the reproductive technology implications that would result from such a policy? Should families be taxed based on the number of children they have? This would be based on the assumption that the impact of a family with more children would be greater on society and the environment than a family with fewer children?

Going Beyond

Reproductive technologies always bring with them controversy; ethical and moral issues that present pros and cons to their use. What do you believe are the ethical and moral issues on the use of reproductive technologies? What have governments done in Canada to deal with the concerns of the use of reproductive technologies? First, see if you can find any government legislation or policies, in Canada or any other country, that deal with the use of reproductive technologies. Then do a comparison of those that you find.

Lesson Summary

Throughout history, humans have been trying to control their reproductive potential. Reproductive technologies first began as attempts to prevent pregnancy, and have now evolved into extremely advanced reproductive enhancement and reduction prevention techniques. Reproductive technologies have also advanced to allow the monitoring of embryonic and fetal development, and scientists and doctors have even developed the technology and skill to enable them to successfully complete fetal surgery.

Developed countries are fortunate to have continued the advancement and use of technologies to include those that assist in parturition. However, in developing countries the advances in technology have not been seen. The International Development Committee said, “One in seven women in Niger dies in childbirth, compared to one in 8,200 in Britain.” These figures do not take into account the number of fetal deaths.

The development and use of, and often the need for reproductive technologies have come a long way. However, whether it is a question of equal access to safe childbirth or other issues, there will always be an ethical and moral debate on the practice and use of reproductive technologies.