Bioethics

• What is infertility?


  When a couple may not be able to have a baby. E.g. the man doesn’t produce enough sprem.
• What is IVF?


  In Vitro Fertilisation is when the egg is fertilised outside the woman’s body and implanted back into the womb.
• What is Intrauterine Insemination/ Artificial Insemination?


  Sperm is collected in samples and introduced into the woman's when she is ovulating. It can be by their partners sperm or a donors sperm.
• Name 4 issues arising from fertility treatments.


  Spare Embryos - Either destroyed, frozen or donated to medical research. By law must be destroyed after 14 days.

  Medical Complications - Risk of multiple births. Increased risk of pregnancy related health problems for mother, e.g. gestational diabetes and babies or more likely to be premature.

  Designer Babies - Embryo is modified for desirable qualities. It is illegal and raises ethical implications of IVF.

  Religious Beliefs on Marriage - Involves a third party, goes against Christian teaching. Can be seen as adultery.
• Name 2 more issues arising from fertility treatments.


  Identity - If a child was conceived with a donor it may be difficult for them to find out how they were conceived.

  Three-Parent IVF - Involves 2 women and 1 man. Prevents deadly diseases being passed on from the mother. Changes DNA permanently of the child and their descendants.
• List 4 arguments in favour of fertility treatments.

  1. Childlessness can cause great distress to couples.
  2. Adopting a child is an option but is not the same as having a child who is genetic offspring of the parents.
  3. IVF treatment can result in spare embryos which can be frozen to add to their family later. They could be used for research to find the cause of childlessness and develop possible treatments.
  4. It is an act of kindness to donate an egg or sperm to a childless couple, or be a surrogate.
• List 5 arguments against fertility treatments.

  1. AI and IVF are unnatural. Children should only be born as parts of the intimate relationship of a man and a woman.
  2. Childlessness can be very distressing, however there are other options such as adoption.
  3. An embryo is a potential human being and should not be destroyed. Life begins at conception, therefore research is unacceptable.
  4. Donation introduces a third party.
  5. The child may experience distress and confusion about its true identity.
• What does embryo experimentation do?

  It helps scientists discover more about genetic diseases and disorders. This is known as genetic engineering. Stem cells from embryos are used to grow healthy cells in the body. When the embryos die, the stem cells are removed which can help people with diabetes or Parkinson’s.
• What are the Church views on embryo experimentation?


  Catholic Church - Believes life begins at conception and is against embryo experimentation.

  Church of Ireland - States they are “not comfortable with the use of embryos for research. Find it unacceptable to make embryos specifically for research. They believe research into the use of adult stem cells and umbilical chord blood cells should be give much higher priority.
• Name and explain the twin types of Human Surrogacy.

  1. Traditional Surrogacy - Husband/ partners sperm is used to fertilise the surrogate mother’s egg.
  2. Gestational Surrogacy - The surrogate mother becomes pregnant with a baby they are not related to. The egg is either donated or the intended mothers. The egg is fertilised through IVF and implanted into the woman’s womb.
• When will Surrogacy be used?

  1. A woman may have had a hysterectomy or has been born without a womb.
  2. A gay couple may want to have children.
  3. A couple may have experience failed IVF treatment.
• How is surrogacy done in the UK?


  It is illegal to advertise for a surrogate in the UK. Non-profit agencies help a couple find a match. It is to funded by the NHS so has to be privately funded. It is illegal to make profit from surrogacy in the UK.
• Does the surrogate mother have rights to the child?


  The surrogate mother gives up all rights and responsibilities to the child and there is a lot of trust involved.
• What’s the issue with surrogacy?

  1. Some Christians were uncomfortable with a 3rd party being involved.
  2. Illegal surrogacy.
  3. Surrogacy agreements are not legally binding.
  4. The child may want to find their biological mother when they are older.
• How does the Sanctity of Life work with Reproductive Technologies?


  The belief life begins at conception. Good has planned our lives before birth, “I chose you before I gave you life”. Therefore life should be respected and protected. This means destroying embryos could be regarded as murder, “Do not kill”.
• What do the Churches say about Reproductive Technologies?

  1. Catholic Church - teaches embryos have the right to be respected as life begins at conception. It condemned IUI, IVF and surrogacy in 1987. it opposed embryo experimentation as they were seen to violate human dignity.
  2. Other Christian Denominations - Believe life begins at conception. Regard embryos as potential human beings a believe they should be protected and respected.
• What does HFEA stand for?


  Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority
• What are HFEA’s aims?

  1. To ensure everyone who steps into a fertility clinic and born as a result receives high quality care.
  2. Licence, monitor and inspect fertility clinics.
  3. By providing free, clear and impartial information about fertility treatments and egg sperm and embryo donation.