Philosophy Commons^™

In Vitro Fertilization: Are There Still Ethical Problems?, Carol A. Tauer Ph.D.

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

The initial development of the technique of in vitro fertilization (IVF) was accompanied by discussion of related ethical questions. Two significant ones were: Did the development of IVF justify the wastage of human embryos which made it possible? Was it justifiable to attempt human embryo transfer without laboratory studies to determine the safety of the technique? Thousands of births as a result of IVF have largely made these two questions moot. But four others remain: Is IVF immoral because it accomplishes procreation in a laboratory rather than through an act of marital union? Is it permissible to maximize the success …