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Cloning, genetic screening, embryo freezing, in vitro fertilization, Norplant, RU486--these are the technologies revolutionizing our reproductive landscape. Through the lens of procreative liberty--meaning both the freedom to decide whether or not to have children as well as the freedom to control one's reproductive capacity--John Robertson, a leading legal bioethicist, analyzes the ethical, legal, and social controversies surrounding each major technology and opens up a multitude of fascinating questions: Do frozen embryos have the right to be born? Should parents be allowed to select offspring traits? May a government force welfare recipients to take contraceptives? Robertson's arguments examine the broad range of consequences of each reproductive technology and offers a timely, multifaceted analysis of the competing interests at stake for patients, couples, doctors, policymakers, lawyers, and ethicists.
List of contents
Preface Ch. 2The Presumptive Primacy of Procreative Liberty Ch. 3Abortion, Contragestion, and the Resuscitation of Roe v. Wade Ch. 4Norplant, Forced Contraception, and Irresponsible Reproduction Ch. 5IVF, Infertility, and the Status of Embryos Ch. 6Collaborative Reproduction: Donors and Surrogates Ch. 7Selection and Shaping of Offspring Characteristics: Genetic Screening and Manipulation Ch. 8Preventing Prenatal Harm to Offspring Ch. 9Farming the Uterus: Nonreproductive Uses of Reproductive Capacity Ch. 10Class, Feminist, and Communitarian Critiques of Procreative Liberty Notes Index
About the author
John A. Robertson
Summary
Cloning, genetic screening, embryo freezing, in vitro fertilization, Norplant, RU486--these are the technologies revolutionizing our reproductive landscape. Through the lens of procreative liberty--meaning both the freedom to decide whether or not to have children as well as the freedom to control one's reproductive capacity--John Robertson, a leading legal bioethicist, analyzes the ethical, legal, and social controversies surrounding each major technology and opens up a multitude of fascinating questions: Do frozen embryos have the right to be born? Should parents be allowed to select offspring traits? May a government force welfare recipients to take contraceptives? Robertson's arguments examine the broad range of consequences of each reproductive technology and offers a timely, multifaceted analysis of the competing interests at stake for patients, couples, doctors, policymakers, lawyers, and ethicists.
Additional text
"Robertson offers the reader a balanced analysis on most reproductive concerns that confront physicians, lawyers, and the general public. . . . [His] broad knowledge makes this a strong book to help people understand these new ethical and legal frontiers."
