Question

Given the technology today, (in-vitro fertilization, assisted reproductive technologies, surrogacy, donor eggs, donor sperm, etc..) families are being created in many ways. Consider the following questions and Answer in a short paragraphs. What issues accompany assisted reproductive technologies? What issues accompany surrogacy, donor eggs, sperm for the donors? What issues accompany surrogate and non-surrogate parents? How do these ways of creating families help and impact partners, children, etc? Should children know how they were conceived? Why or Why not? How does the decision to have children as well as the way of having children impact partnerships?

Answer 1

1. The discrimination and stereotyping of children against ART is a common issue faced by parents in such cases. Certain side effects may also accompany the procedure. Moreover, it is expensive and many people who need the access to it lack so since it is still a rare phenomenon in many areas of the world. There are ethical issues that surround the procedure regarding sex selection, gamete donation and surrogacy. This makes the need for high regulation of the ART very important. Status of the babies produced by IVF may also be a challenge. Some biological complications may be bound to arise.
2. Surrogacy, donor eggs and sperm for donors too are issues that are surrounded by ethical concerns. Many people discriminate against the procedure and claim it to be a deviation from ‘normalcy’. This is so because artificial means are used for the child birth process. Sex selection, selection of sperm donor, informed consent, donor eggs are all aspects that may still be looked down upon by the larger society. Since it is a relatively new concept, people are still sceptical and this is a fact that many researches reinforce.
3. Issues that accompany surrogate and non surrogate parents comprise of scepticism regarding how the child may turn out to be. Also, it is a phenomenon that cannot be advertised due to its sensitive nature, which means that a mutual agreement between both set of parents need to be made. The same has to be done in a highly subtle manner. Other than this, many issues surround the concept. During the parenthood experience, the likelihood of parents accepting the role in its entirety is always questioned. The experience of giving away the child post the gestation period is often accompanied by agony in the person involved. This may be so because of the intimacy of the process itself which leads to a sense of affiliation amidst the mother and the baby.
4. It may create a sense of doubt and insecurities, if not dealt with care and assurance. Although it is a relief for parents who cannot conceive, it is always seen with a sense of scepticism by the society at large. Stereotypes are something that accompanies the family for life. The parents may compare even if subconsciously what it would have been like to live with one’s ‘flesh and blood’ and the child, once she/he discovers the truth may also be faced by similar challenges. A general isolation of sorts is likely to occur.