The Moral and Ethical Problems of IVF in Society
IVF refers to the method of assisting couples or individuals who cannot conceive naturally to achieve fertility through artificial assisted reproduction technology. The emergence of this technology has triggered many discussions on moral and ethical issues. This article will evaluate the moral and ethical issues of IVF in society from four aspects.
Ethical problem 1: inheritance of diseased genes
IVF technology allows couples to screen embryos for genes to avoid the transmission of some genetic diseases. However, this has also caused some moral and ethical problems. First, will this screening lead to a reduction in genetic diversity? In the human genome, each individual will carry some mutant genes, and these genes have important significance for the adaptability of the whole human population. Secondly, although the purpose of gene screening is to avoid illness, does it involve the right to choose life? If test tube babies are used to screen genes for non fatal diseases, a series of ethical problems may arise.
Another ethical issue is the fair distribution of diseased genes. IVF technology is expensive, and only some financial conditions can afford it. This has led to the question, will those couples or individuals with poor financial conditions be unable to choose this technology because they cannot pay high costs? From the perspective of fairness and social justice, this is a serious ethical issue.
Ethical problem 2: children's mental health
IVF technology allows couples to choose factors such as the sex and appearance of the embryo. However, does this right of choice affect children's mental health? On the one hand, if parents overemphasize their children's appearance or other characteristics, they may bring serious psychological pressure and identity problems to their children. On the other hand, even if parents do not pay attention to their children's appearance or other characteristics, children themselves may have doubts and troubles about their life experience, which will lead to mental health problems.
In addition, IVF may cause tension in family relations. If there are differences between couples when they decide to use IVF technology, for example, one side strongly requests IVF while the other side does not agree, this may lead to complex family relations. Children may become a source of tension between husband and wife, and the conflict between parents has a negative impact on children's growth and mental health.
Ethical question 3: sex selection of IVF
IVF technology can help couples choose the sex of embryos to meet specific needs or preferences. However, does gender selection violate moral and ethical principles? On the one hand, gender selection may lead to an imbalance in the proportion of boys and girls among children, which poses challenges to social stability and gender equality. On the other hand, there are many reasons behind gender selection, and some preferences may involve prejudice or discrimination against a specific gender.
At the same time, gender selection may directly or indirectly affect children's life choices. For example, in some traditional societies, men are considered to have more rights and social status, which may lead couples to prefer male embryos. Whether this gender selection violates children's human rights and equal rights and interests requires serious moral and ethical thinking.
Ethical question 4: risks of genetic diversity
IVF technology allows couples to choose the most ideal embryo for implantation, which eliminates the impact of natural selection on human genetic diversity. This may lead to a decrease in the genetic diversity of human populations and increase the risk of transmission of some gene mutations in humans. This risk may lead to the emergence of new genetic diseases, and even pose a potential threat to the health of the entire human population.
To sum up, IVF has caused many moral and ethical problems in society. These problems involve gene diversity, inheritance of diseased genes, children's mental health, gender selection and risk of genetic diversity. Solving these problems requires the joint efforts of the whole society, including scientists, doctors, policy makers and the public, to ensure the rational application of IVF technology and maximize social benefits.
