As a society, we have come to rely heavily on reproductive technologies such as assisted reproduction, surrogacy, and IVF to help people have children who might otherwise be unable to do so naturally.
These technologies raise many ethical dilemmas that must be addressed before they are widely adopted. One important consideration is the question of what constitutes "normal" and "abnormal" when it comes to conception and childbirth. In this essay, I will explore how the philosophy of bodily difference can inform our understanding of the ethics of reproductive technology.
Body Difference
The body has long been seen as the source of identity, agency, and power. It is through our bodies that we experience the world and interact with others. Bodies also differ from one another in terms of race, gender, disability, age, size, and other characteristics. These differences create social hierarchies and power dynamics that affect our relationships and interactions.
White men tend to hold more power than women or people of color in many societies.
Fertility rates vary greatly between individuals, which means that some people may need assistance to conceive while others do not. This variation can lead to feelings of inferiority or shame for those struggling with infertility, even if there is no medical reason why they cannot get pregnant. Reproductive technology allows us to overcome these obstacles by creating new life outside the confines of traditional conception.
Criticism of Reproductive Technologies
Some critics argue that reproductive technologies perpetuate a sense of normalcy around certain types of bodies and reproduction methods. They point out that artificial insemination and IVF often involve the use of donor eggs or sperm, which can create uncertainty about parentage and kinship ties. Surrogacy can also blur boundaries around ownership and control over procreation, as well as raise questions about who should have access to such services.
Some argue that the pursuit of "perfect" children through genetic selection or embryo screening is unethical because it objectifies the child as an extension of their parents' desires rather than recognizing them as unique human beings.
There are concerns about the health risks associated with certain procedures like IVF and potential ethical implications for future generations.
Bodily Difference and Ethics
The philosophy of bodily difference offers valuable insight into these ethical dilemmas. By acknowledging that our bodies are inherently different from one another, we can start to challenge the idea that certain bodies or forms of reproduction are "normal" or "ideal." We can begin to question what kinds of choices people should be able to make about their own bodies without interference or judgment from others.
We might ask whether someone has a right to conceive in any way they choose if they are medically capable of doing so - even if it involves donor gametes or surrogates. Or we might consider whether parents have the right to selectively eliminate genetic disorders before implantation, which could lead to less diverse populations in the future.
These decisions ultimately depend on how much value we place on individual agency and choice versus collective good. As a society, we must grapple with difficult trade-offs when using reproductive technology to ensure that everyone has equal opportunities to create families while also protecting vulnerable groups like children who may be born into unwanted circumstances. The philosophical concept of bodily difference provides one framework for understanding these issues and making informed decisions about them.