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This presentation by Lillian Neville, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Salford, delves into the intricate ethical landscape surrounding fertility treatments. It examines the tensions between what is technically possible, legally permissible, socially acceptable, and morally desirable. Highlighting Mary Warnock’s vision and the role of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), key topics include personhood, parental rights, and the implications of emerging reproductive technologies. The session aims to foster discussions on how ethics and law can effectively govern human fertility practices.
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Health Sciences and Practice Subject Centre Ethics Special Interest Group 24th April 2009 Lillian Neville Senior Lecturer, University of Salford Lillian Neville April 2009
Fertility as a moral gymnasium Lillian Neville April 2009
Examine the tensions between: • What is technically possible • What is legally permissible • What is socially acceptable • What is morally desirable Lillian Neville April 2009
Mary Warnock’s vision: The HFEA • We stand on behalf of the ordinary person in the street…and patients, donor conceived people and their families, clinicians and researchers. • 20 members. 15 lay and 5 professional members. • Executive and staff x 80 people Lillian Neville April 2009
HFEA – a reflexive arm of the law • Regulate research, storage and treatment involving human gametes and embryos • Issue licenses • Policy and guidance • Consultation – public, stakeholders • Committees – horizon scanning, ethics & law, audit. Lillian Neville April 2009
Personhood: when does life begin to matter morally? • Conception onwards • Primitive streak • Sentience • Further on in pregnancy • Birth • Rationality • Not proven status • Process not event? Lillian Neville April 2009
What sorts of parents? • The need for a father • Single sex parents • Surrogacy • Age limits • NHS limits – NICE guidelines • Those who can pay Lillian Neville April 2009
What sorts of parents? • The notion that “all who want IVF should have access to it or contraception should be put in the water supply and all pregnancies regulated”. • Who should decide who can become a parent? • Length of storage – gametes, embryos. • Shortage of gamete donors. Lillian Neville April 2009
What sort of children should we have? “Oh brave new world that has such people in it”. [Miranda in The Tempest (Shakespeare) on seeing Ferdinand.] Lillian Neville April 2009
What sorts of children? • Saviour siblings • Sex selection • Embryo choice – the test • Designer babies • Unlicensed gametes • Impact on donor conceived children • Is this my grandson? • Singletons or octuplets Lillian Neville April 2009
What sorts of research? • Hybrid embryos • Consent for research on your gametes • Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) • Pre-implantation genetic screening (PGS) • Data from HFEA register • Stem cells – potential lack of regulation Lillian Neville April 2009
Ethics and law advisory committeeRecent issues discussed • PGD • Modification of human embryos • Disclosure of register information • Supportive parenting • Ethnic communities and ART • Consent • All papers on website: www.hfea.gov.uk Lillian Neville April 2009
So is it the best moral gymnasium? YES! Lillian Neville April 2009
Contact Us Health Sciences and Practice Subject Centre http://www.health.heacademy.ac.uk info-hsap@kcl.ac.uk Higher Education Academy http://www.heacademy.ac.uk Lillian Neville April 2009
