Birth_Control

Assisted Reproductive Technologies, also known as ART, are methods to achieve pregnancy by artificial means. It is reproductive technology used primarily in infertility treatments. “They include an array of techniques and medications, arrangements and procedures, all designed to help an individual or a couple reproduce and have a child of one’s own” (Shannon, 2009). Such technologies include techniques such as in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) and intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) as well as Artificial Insemination. People might want to regulate their capacity for parenting or regulate their infertility that prevents parenting by using Assisted Reproductive Technologies for many reasons as stated in Shannon’s assessment of “controlling reproduction”. One reason is that “one or both the individuals in the relationship are infertile. There may be a genetic risk involved in a couple’s decision to conceive. This risk may come from one or both individuals being carriers of a specific disease-related gene. Alternatively, one or both individuals may actually have a genetic disease. And lastly, some people seek assisted reproductive technology not to reproduce but to be compensated for “donating” their gametes or their wombs” (Shannon, 2009). Controlling births, whether it be achieving or inhibiting birth, are caused mainly on one’s self-interests. Some of the reasons why people may want to achieve birth in their own self-interest is because it enables infertile people to achieve pregnancy or people who could not reproduce without ART to conceive babies using their genomes. This way, the babies can be born with at least half of the genes of one of their familial parents. ART produces babies that even contain genetic material from both of their parents. Another good thing about ART is that it enables women with damaged reproductive systems or men suffering from sexual dysfunction to conceive babies. Assisted reproductive technologies also enables couples with genetic disorders to conceive healthy babies. Another reason why ART can be a good thing is that it also enables birth of a baby after a parent dies prematurely. Inhibiting birth are also caused by people’s self-interests. They may either be irresponsible and not ready for pregnancy, whether it be financially or socially. Controlling births, whether it be achieving or inhibiting births, are to be used in certain justifiable means. Oral contraceptive, also known as “The Pill,” is opposite of ART. It is used to “end” birth and plays a big role in an anti-child philosophy. It is closely related to the abortion philosophy. The Pill promotes sexual activity for pleasure alone. It often encourages irresponsible or promiscuous sexual activity. The Pill is very unnatural and has many side-effects. Therefore, the Pill should be used only in emergency cases, rather than used as an everyday normal thing. The Pill should also be acceptable to use in cases of rape. Achieving births are also to be used in certain justifiable means. It should only be used for those who can not conceive babies due to various reasons but not to be used just to be compensated for donating their gametes.