Children of Choice [Hardcover]

John A. Robertson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0691033536 | ISBN-13: 978-0691033532 | Publication Date: May 16, 1994

Cloning, genetic screening, embryo freezing, in vitro fertilization, surrogate motherhood - these are the technologies revolutionizing the reproductive landscape, enabling individuals to conceive or to avoid pregnancy, and to plan the timing of their offspring and even control their characteristics, in ways barely imaginable a generation ago. In this wide-ranging account of the reproductive technologies currently available, the author analyzes the ethical, legal and social controversies that surround each major technology, then determines to what extent individuals should be free to pursue the procedures available and whether government should be authorized to restrict them. Reproductive freedom, Robertson maintains, has traditionally been a right taken for granted. Yet these new technologies, helpful as they may be to many people, carry a price - be it the financial, physical, or emotional strain that in vitro fertilization places on couples or the social danger posed by genetically shaping offspring characteristics. The study examines the broad range of consequences of each reproductive technology and its possible ethical and legal implications. It establishes guidelines for use by weighing the chance that the technology may enrich and give meaning to an individual's life, against the harm it may cause the larger community.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Procreative freedom is "the freedom to decide whether or not to have offspring and to control the use of one's reproductive capacity." Robertson, a legal bioethicist who teaches at the University of Texas at Austin's law school, argues that the principle of procreative liberty should be used to determine the ethics and legalities of the many controversial issues surrounding reproductive technology. While obviously favoring his procreative liberty approach, the author allows some discussion of conflicting viewpoints. Robertson's position may not be universally accepted, but his works are regularly cited and his perspective is given significant coverage in many books on this topic. In addition to the much-discussed issues of abortion and surrogacy, Robertson also discusses new issues such as fetal tissue transplants and prenatal genetic screening. While the basic technological facts in this book may become dated, the legal philosophy presented may serve as a foundation for future considerations. Highly recommended for academic and special libraries.
Tina Neville, Univ. of South Florida at St. Petersburg Lib.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

One day Robertson was struck by a newspaper story that posed all sorts of ethical questions: A wealthy couple die, leaving an estate of eight million dollars and no one to claim it except their test-tube "orphans," the frozen embryos of the couple. Are the embryos really orphans? Do they have legal claim to the money? The problem, Robertson argues, is not simply technical. Although birth was traditionally a matter for nature or God or both, reproduction is now becoming increasingly "subject to human will and technical expertise." To put all this in context, Robertson surveys the available reproductive techniques and options, from abortion and contraception to the various ways of reproducing and of screening for suitable characteristics. The individual and societal conflicts are presented for each option, with Robertson generally arguing in favor of freedom of choice. Should be of interest to students of society as well as the many prospective users of these technologies. Brian McCombie

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 296 pages
• Publisher: Princeton Univ Pr (May 16, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0691033536
• ISBN-13: 978-0691033532
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,814,220 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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