In Vitro Fertilization Term Paper

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document

Total Length: 844 words ( 3 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 0

Page 1 of 3

In-Vitro Fertilization

One of the most remarkable medical discoveries of the 20th century is in-vitro fertilization, a technique developed and used to conceive a human embryo outside of the mother's body. In-vitro fertilization was originally devised for use in cases of infertility, i.e., where the woman's fallopian tubes were damaged or the man's sperm count was low. However, in recent years, the use of in-vitro fertilization has been expanded to include pre-implantation genetic diagnosis, a process which is designed to create an embryo which is a close genetic match to a sibling who suffers from a rare genetic disorder. In this process, the blood from the umbilical cord of the baby created via in-vitro fertilization may be used to attempt to save the sibling's life. This process was first used in the case of Molly Nash from Colorado, where cord blood from her brother Adam was transplanted into the little girl, who is said to have made a near perfect recover. In addition, a girl was recently born to a British family hoping to treat their older child who has leukemia.

The Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority (HFEA) recently granted a British couple permission to use in-vitro fertilization (i.e., pre-implantation genetic diagnosis) to create a test tube baby. What is so controversial about the HFEA's decision is the fact that the only reason why the British couple wants to utilize in-vitro fertilization is because one of their sons is seriously ill with thalassaemia, a rare genetic blood disorder.

Stuck Writing Your "In Vitro Fertilization" Term Paper?

View All Our Example In Vitro Fertilization Term Paper

Have A Custom Example Essay Written

Likewise, this decision is controversial because it marks the first time the HFEA has allowed the use of in-vitro fertilization to pick an embryo which is a close genetic match for a sibling in order to treat him. It is the British couple's hope that in-vitro fertilization will allow them to create a test tube sibling whose blood could cure their son. In this paper, the ethical issues associated with the use of in-vitro fertilization to create "designer" babies will be analyzed and discussed.

ARGUMENTS AGAINST IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION

While there are several compelling arguments in favor of in-virto fertilization (particularly in the case of infertile couples), there are just as many arguments in opposition to the use of in-vitro fertilization and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis in order to attempt to cure or treat genetic disorders in another child. First, using in-vitro fertilization and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis to create a test tube sibling whose umbilical cord blood could cure or treat a genetic disorder which exists in another baby violates the basic principle underlying in-vitro fertilization,….....

Show More ⇣

     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


Related Essays

Immortal Life: The Body and Science

use for research come from fertilized eggs that are donated following in vitro fertilization: there is no "robbery" of a fetus and the eggs that are donated would otherwise go to waste -- so what she points out is that as a scientist she actually feels a moral obligation to use those cells for a good purpose -- for study and research so that she and others like her can help find cures to aging, to dying stem cells, to cancer, to heart regeneration. While some may still go on to question the ethics of in vitro fertilization, the point that… Continue Reading...

sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"In Vitro Fertilization" (2002, February 27) Retrieved May 21, 2025, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/vitro-fertilization-55886

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"In Vitro Fertilization" 27 February 2002. Web.21 May. 2025. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/vitro-fertilization-55886>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"In Vitro Fertilization", 27 February 2002, Accessed.21 May. 2025,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/vitro-fertilization-55886
   

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document
order custom essay example