ASSISTED REPRODUCTION AS AN ETHICALALTERNATIVE TO ILLICIT PATHWAYS TO PARENTHOOD

Abstract

The desire for procreation by some couples is often caused by cultural value systems, familial expectations, and cravings for human immortality. Procreation becomes problematic when barrenness and infertility impede its accomplishment. However, scientific research into this problem triggered breakthroughs in medical technologies and methods of assisting affected couples in the reproductive process, thereby, birthing “Assisted Reproductionâ€. Despite the appreciable success recorded in the application of these legally viable technologies such as artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization, and surrogacy, some affected people tend to resort to an illicit pathway to parenthood when confronted with infertility. This pathway, mainly “baby factoryâ€, is considered illegal and an avenue for perpetrating social ills like child abuse, infant trafficking, rape, and sexual violence. What could possibly inform the preference of baby factory to the effective, legal, and scientific method of Assisted Reproduction? Employing the method of reductive analysis, this paper found out that victims of infertility are obstructed from seeking solutions through assisted reproduction due to their belief systems and ignorance. The paper argues that these victims' orientation can be aligned with assisted reproduction through seasoned philosophical arguments, and as well, dissuade them from patronizing baby factories. Consequently, the paper employs the Fletcherian, utilitarian, and Kantian arguments to showcase how assisted reproduction is a viable alternative to baby factory patronage. The paper recommends that enough awareness should be created on the immorality of baby factory patronage and, the moral and therapeutic attractions of assisted reproduction.