One afternoon in Hospital Clinique, during my visit to the gynaecologist, during consultation, the assistant doctor called us up for a pre-treatment information. As we are giving out personal information background, we are then assisted to mention our preferred form of treatment.One personal question was asked whether i wanted to conceive a child from my spouse or other man.
I thought the assistant doctor was joking but he looked serious, so I asked why. Apparently there are cases where the potential mother willing to conceive a child from other man. Culturally and religiously I know this is a new issue for me. But apparently in some cases where the disease was so serious and uncurred it is permissable. In western country there are many cases of sperm donors and surrogacy mother. Is it ethical?
Sperm donors is define as a procedure in which a man donates semen, to help an individual or a couple conceive baby. Donated sperm can be by two (2) ways, first is injected into a woman's reproductive organs (intrauterine insemination) or secondly is by used to fertilize mature eggs in a lab (in vitro fertilization). The use of donated sperm is known as third party reproduction. For the procedure of sperm donation, the identity of the man who donates it can be known or anonymous to the recipient. Sperm donations made to a known recipient are called directed donations. Afterward, the donator must be screened for medical conditions and other risk factors before they can make a sperm donation.
There are several ethical issues concerned such as emotional, psychological and legal issues are also needed to be considered for the sperm donation. Not only it will affect the future parents, it will also involve the phsycological factors of the future child and the biological father.
If the child came from same or similar race, it will not be so obvious for him/her when the parents chose to hide the donator identity. But if it comes from different race or biracial, then it will be an issue which needed to be solved when the child grow up and find out about their real identity. The child might also face a problem of bullying from their peers since they grew up from a single mother/unmarried or a biracial parents. Other issue is that regarding how informed the client or recipient of sperm donation on the limitations and potential complications involved with sperm donation. Sperm donation is not always successful and multiple treatments might have to be performed. Whether the sperm is disease free or free from genetic abnormalities. Another risk is that if a right of third party reproduction become so common in the society, plenty of unmarried single women will be having family of their own. The concept of 'family' will be questioned.
Above all risks, the most significant case which cannot be avoided is that the chance of half brothers or half sisters (from the same donor father) have actually married not knowing they were related.
On the the other hand, the third party reproductions have helped a number of infertile people both physically and mentally, giving them hope and courage to actually have a child. It has a positive impact for those who are infertile or have a major problems in going on a normal procedure to produce a child. In minor cases, mostly western countries and european countries, homosexual couples are helped by this form of reproduction. Other cases such as single parent by choice (SPC), it also help them to reproduce without having to adopt a child.
In conclusion, the issue of this third party reproduction have to be regulate and delicately handled since it is quite new and sensistive issue both ethically and legal terms. Some cultures in certain countries even strictly prohibited the third party reproduction or sperm donor to be legalised, not only concerning ethical issues but mostly religious view.
Sperm donors is define as a procedure in which a man donates semen, to help an individual or a couple conceive baby. Donated sperm can be by two (2) ways, first is injected into a woman's reproductive organs (intrauterine insemination) or secondly is by used to fertilize mature eggs in a lab (in vitro fertilization). The use of donated sperm is known as third party reproduction. For the procedure of sperm donation, the identity of the man who donates it can be known or anonymous to the recipient. Sperm donations made to a known recipient are called directed donations. Afterward, the donator must be screened for medical conditions and other risk factors before they can make a sperm donation.
There are several ethical issues concerned such as emotional, psychological and legal issues are also needed to be considered for the sperm donation. Not only it will affect the future parents, it will also involve the phsycological factors of the future child and the biological father.
If the child came from same or similar race, it will not be so obvious for him/her when the parents chose to hide the donator identity. But if it comes from different race or biracial, then it will be an issue which needed to be solved when the child grow up and find out about their real identity. The child might also face a problem of bullying from their peers since they grew up from a single mother/unmarried or a biracial parents. Other issue is that regarding how informed the client or recipient of sperm donation on the limitations and potential complications involved with sperm donation. Sperm donation is not always successful and multiple treatments might have to be performed. Whether the sperm is disease free or free from genetic abnormalities. Another risk is that if a right of third party reproduction become so common in the society, plenty of unmarried single women will be having family of their own. The concept of 'family' will be questioned.
Above all risks, the most significant case which cannot be avoided is that the chance of half brothers or half sisters (from the same donor father) have actually married not knowing they were related.
On the the other hand, the third party reproductions have helped a number of infertile people both physically and mentally, giving them hope and courage to actually have a child. It has a positive impact for those who are infertile or have a major problems in going on a normal procedure to produce a child. In minor cases, mostly western countries and european countries, homosexual couples are helped by this form of reproduction. Other cases such as single parent by choice (SPC), it also help them to reproduce without having to adopt a child.
In conclusion, the issue of this third party reproduction have to be regulate and delicately handled since it is quite new and sensistive issue both ethically and legal terms. Some cultures in certain countries even strictly prohibited the third party reproduction or sperm donor to be legalised, not only concerning ethical issues but mostly religious view.
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