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An Ethical Analysis of Assisted Reproduction Providers’ Websites in Pakistan

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 June 2016

AYESHA IRSHAD  and
GABRIELE WERNER-FELMAYER
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Abstract:

Assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) and reproductive genetic technologies (RGTs) are intertwined and coevolving. These technologies are increasingly used to fulfill socially and culturally framed requests, for example, “family balancing,” or to enable postmenopausal women or homosexual couples to have genetically linked children. The areas of ART and RGT are replete with ethical issues, because different social practices and legal regulations, as well as economic inequalities within and among countries, create vulnerable groups and, therefore, the potential for exploitation. This article provides an overview of the ART and RGT landscape in Pakistan and analyzes the available online content addressing Pakistani citizens and international clients. We explored the topic in view of socioeconomic challenges in Pakistan, particularly deeply rooted poverty, lack of education, gender discrimination, and absence of regulation. As online information given by ART and RGT providers is readily available and could easily raise false hopes, make use of discriminatory statements with regard to women, and promote gender selection to meet sociocultural expectations, it should be subjected to quality control.

Keywords

Pakistanreproductive clinicsassisted reproductive technologies (ARTs)reproductive genetic technologies (RGTs)
Type
Special Section: Bioethics Beyond Borders
Information
Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics , Volume 25 , Issue 3 , July 2016 , pp. 497 - 504
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2016 

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References

Notes

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