SWA #20

John Morin

Professor Mikhaylova

English 102-111

21 March 2012

In Vitro Fertilization: An Ethical Debate Regarding

The Moral Justifications of the Practice:

An Annotated Bibliography

Schwartz, Lisa, Annie Chiu, Marcy Courtney, Lewis Krey, and Cecilia Schmidt-Sarosi. The Embryo versus     Endometrium Controversy Revisited as It Relates to Predicting Pregnancy Outcome in In-Vitro Fertilization–Embryo Transfer Cycles. Http://humrep.oxfordjournals.org. The Oxford Journal. Web. 14 Mar. 2012. <http://humrep.oxfordjournals.org/content/12/1/45.full.pdf+html>.

 This experiment evaluates various embryonic and endometrial (variables involving the inner   membrane of the uterus) factors in relation to the success of pregnancies. Using various control groups, it is proven that the most powerful factor that attributes to a successful pregnancy (defined as a standard nine month period of carrying the baby, as well as a healthy birth for both parent and child) is the quality of the embryo. Specifically, it was suggested that IVF is a practical procedure to cause pregnancy, as the quality of embryos is observed and researched heavily during the process. In turn, IVF is seen by many as a successful practice for a couple to have a baby safely and successfully.

 Hope, Tony, Gill Lockwood, and Ryan Lockwood. Education and Debate An Ethical Debate: Should Older  Women Be Offered In Vitro Fertilisation? The Interests of the Potential Child. British MEdical Journal. British Medical Journal. Web. 14 Mar. 2012. <http://www.bmj.com/content/310/6992/1455.full>.

     The article discusses the pros and cons of offering older women (defined as forty years old and up) the option to have children via IVF. Morally, adoption vs. conception is evaluated, where the benefits of an older woman being offered a chance to have a baby is acceptable when statistically, "older" women have diminished chances of success in successfully carrying and delivering a child. Older women, in turn, will be in the life of the child less than a younger parent, which could have negative impacts on the child. In addition, a younger parent may be offered IVF more frequently than an older parent, so the bias is there.  

 "In Vitro Fertilization" Promoting Pregnancy Wellness : American Pregnancy Association. Web. 11 Mar. 2012. http://www.americanpregnancy.org/infertility/ivf.html.

     A basic summary of the process of In Vitro Fertilization, the website examines the steps and drugs used in IVF. In addition, the website argues for In Vitro Fertilization as a process that helps couples that cannot have babies, have babies.

 "Government Funding of IVF." PBS. PBS. Web. 11 Mar. 2012. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/general-article/babies-government-funding/.

     This article discusses and analyzes the history of U.S. support of In Vitro Fertilization. The reasons and motives for spending money on IVF, as well as the delays, hearings, and consequences of the acceptance of IVF.

 Van Voorhis, Bradley, MD. "In Vitro Fertilization."  New England Journal of Medicine, January 25, 2007.

     

     The article discusses the basic practices, ethical standards, and reasons for the medical practice, as well as the complications that are involved. Risks, areas of uncertainty, and strategies for the procedure are examined. Dr. Van Voorhis assumes that the reader has a basic understanding of the female pregnancy cycle, the fertilization process, and medical terms that, for the common person, are relatively simple to understand. He assumes no bias in his article (the article does not favor or condemn IVF). In addition, Dr. Van Voorhis gives data supporting his credibility within his article, as well as sources for his work.

 "In Vitro Fertilization." How-to-concieve.org. September 6, 2010

     This website is a guide for couples on how to conceive a child; the website's section of IVF is a summary of the practice of IVF, as well as a real-life story on a couple who conceived children via this process. The article goes into detail about the legal aspects of the practice-how embryos not used in the medical procedure are often thrown away or used for research, a practice that violates the moral codes of many religious and ethical groups (I.E. the Catholic Church). The costs for both the couple and the government are discussed, as well as the different regulations IVF faces in the US and in Europe.

Shea, John B. "Catholic Insight : Vatican : The Moral Status of in Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Biology and Method." Catholic Insight. Feb. 2003. Web. 19 Mar. 2012. <http://catholicinsight.com/online/church/vatican/article_475.shtml>.

            A summary of the Catholic Church’s stance on IVF; the reasons for the Catholic Church’s adamant refusal to acknowledge that In Vitro Fertilization is a justifiable medical procedure that benefits the lives of God’s children. In essence, the Catholic Church condones both the doctors and the people trying to conceive children via IVF, as they willingly and fully consider the possibility of destroying excess embryos that are not fertilized within the uterus. In short, those who do IVF commit a mortal sin by killing a human being (for the Church, a zygote) when IVF is finished.