Bioethics

Questions about artificial reproduction?

Following the successful birth of the world's first IVF baby in July 1978, Louise Brown, the artificial-reproductive market witnessed the entry of various high-tech protocols to help infertile couples achieve conception without recourse to normal sexual intercourse. Although many people welcome these technologies because of their pragmatic use in resolving infertility, some questions necessarily arise:

• Is something ethically acceptable simply because it is technically possible?

• If a procedure resolves problems, does that make it ethical?

• Does the end justify the means?

In this enlarged edition of his first book, Paschal Nwaezeapu makes a holistic presentation of artificial-reproductive technologies (ART). Beginning with the biology of human procreation, he proceeds to critically examine the ethics of ART. The book then provides clear insight into the positions of some major religions on ART, and goes on to make useful suggestions to help resolve the problems raised in this study.

Despite the complexity of the issues, Nwaezeapu presents the topic luminously, clearly, and in an easy-to-follow format. This well-researched book will serve as strong resource material for university lecturers, scholars, policy makers, educators, medical practitioners, students of philosophy, bioethics and moral theology, as well as couples and marriage counsellors.

A must read for anyone seeking insight into the dilemma of infertility.