Reproductive technologies are not the cure for social problems

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

Giulia Cavaliere disagrees with claims that ectogenesis will increase equality and freedom for women, arguing that they often ignore social context and consequently fail to recognise that ectogenesis may not benefit women or it may only benefit a small subset of already privileged women. In this commentary, I will contextualise her argument within the broader cultural milieu to highlight the pattern of reproductive advancements and technologies, such as egg freezing and birth control, being presented as the panacea for women's inequality. While these advancements and technologies can benefit women, I argue medicine is not the best tool to cure' social problems and should not be co-opted as an agent of social change. Systemic social changes, not just technomedical approaches, are needed to address the root of gender inequality, which is social in nature, not medical.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)85-96
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of medical ethics
Volume46
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1 2020
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • feminism
  • reproductive medicine

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health(social science)
  • Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
  • Health Policy
  • Issues, ethics and legal aspects

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