Swiss perspectives in 10 languages

What are the ethical considerations in medically assisted reproduction?

Hosted by: Pauline Turuban

Do you think the authorities should allow people diagnosed as infertile to have access to assisted reproductive technology? Under what conditions should fertility treatments be permitted? What is the situation where you live?

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Emma
Emma

Well, with decreasing birth rate, and the current tendency of young people who seek to get permanently sterilised because they want freedom from responsibility, maybe it is a good idea that we all pay for assisted reproductive technology, if we do not want to work until we are 80 years old. We like it or not, someone needs to make people to sustain the country’s living standard.

HAT
HAT

I think it is okay to seek assisted reproductive technology but the tax payers should not have to pay for it. We could pay for the research but definitely the couple must pay 100% for the treatment or procedure.

Peter Ern
Peter Ern
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

No idea

Keine Ahnung

Lynx
Lynx

The world is over-populated, with limited resources. Soon nations will have to think about reducing the population (hopefully without a big war). While there are children in orphanages, would-be parents should be encouraged to adopt, rather than add to the world's problems.

Peter Ern
Peter Ern
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

I don't know whether artificial insemination is ethically acceptable, unfortunately I haven't studied it.

Ich Weiss nicht über die künstliche Befruchtung ethisch vertretbar ist, ich habe leider nicht studiert.

Montaigne
Montaigne
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

In a world where almost every dollar invested in the production of goods and global trade directly or indirectly releases environmental toxins that affect the ability to procreate, it is logical and justified to authorise any form of artificial insemination that simulates natural fertilisation in the birth canal. Our economy constantly interferes with nature and causes irreversible damage. As long as this is the case, we must also be prepared to compensate for the damage caused by advanced medical techniques. The intervention of economic activities in natural processes calls for a coherent and pragmatic response: unlimited authorisation to use artificial reproduction technologies to restore the reproductive capacity concerned. Scientific knowledge and ethical considerations support this need in equal measure.

In einer Welt, in der nahezu jeder investierte Dollar durch Güterproduktion und Welthandel direkt oder indirekt Umweltgifte freisetzt, die die Zeugungsfähigkeit beeinträchtigen, ist es nur logisch und gerechtfertigt, jegliche Form der künstlichen Befruchtung zu erlauben, die die natürliche Befruchtung im Geburtskanal simuliert. Unsere Wirtschaft greift beständig in die Natur ein und verursacht irreversible Schäden. Solange dies der Fall ist, müssen wir ebenso bereit sein, die entstandenen Schäden durch fortschrittliche medizinische Techniken zu kompensieren. Der Eingriff in natürliche Prozesse durch wirtschaftliche Aktivitäten erfordert eine konsequente und pragmatische Antwort: die uneingeschränkte Erlaubnis zur Nutzung künstlicher Befruchtungstechnologien, um die betroffene Reproduktionsfähigkeit wiederherzustellen. Wissenschaftliche Erkenntnisse und ethische Überlegungen unterstützen diese Notwendigkeit gleichermaßen.

Alexandersomm
Alexandersomm
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

I find the issue inappropriate in a progressive, liberal and secular society. The process does no harm to anyone, but promotes the well-being of future parents and increases the chances of having healthy offspring.
How can I interfere in my fellow human beings' plans for their own family planning?
Any debate about ethics in this area is far-fetched, and has nothing to do with anything other than the insecurity and emotional immaturity of those who question such obvious facts.

Ich finde die Frage geziemt sich in einer fortschrittlichen, liberalen, säkularen Gesellschaft nicht. Der Vorgang schadet niemandem, aber fördert das Wohlbefinden der zukünftigen Eltern und erhöht die Chance auf gesunden Nachwuchs.
Wie käme ich dazu mich in entsprechende Pläne meiner Mitmenschen bezüglich deren eigener Familienplanung einzumischen?
Jegliche Debatte zur Ethik in dieser Sache, ist an den Haaren herbeigezogen, das hat nur mit der Unsicherheit und mit emotionaler Unreife derer zu tun, die solche Selbstverständlichkeiten in Frage stellen.

baumgartner.fred
baumgartner.fred
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.
@Alexandersomm

Who are we Swiss to presume to ask such questions, Mrs Turuban? What legitimises us to do so? Our form of government? Our political or religious stance? As Alexandersomm aptly puts it, it is not our job to lecture other people or countries in a pharisaical manner on how they should behave towards artificial insemination. Switzerland cannot claim the right to give advice or even instructions to others, nota bene unsolicited. To put it more simply: "It's none of our business!" As the host, I would ask you, Mrs Turuban, to give me an answer to the questions we have posed, in the spirit of the concept of co-discussion with Alexandersomm.

Wer sind wir Schweizer, dass wir uns anmassen, solche Fragen zu stellen, Frau Turuban? Was legitimiert uns dazu? Unsere Staatsform? Unsere politische oder religiöse Haltung? Alexandersomm umschreibt es treffend, es ist nicht unsere Aufgabe in pharisäerischer Art andere Menschen oder Staaten belehren zu wollen, wie sie sich zur künstlichen Befruchtung zu verhalten haben. Die Schweiz kann doch nicht das Recht für sich beanspruchen anderen, nota bene ungefragt, Ratschläge oder gar Belehrungen erteilen zu wollen. Um es einfacher zu sagen: "Es geht uns nichts an!" Als Gasgeberin erbitte ich von Ihnen, Frau Turuban, im Sinne des Begriffen Mit-Diskussion Alexandersomm und mir eine Antwort auf unsere gestellten Fragen zu geben.

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