Creating life after death: Should posthumous reproduction be legally permissible without the deceased's prior consent?

Abstract

Scientific advances enable to retrieve and use gametes of a deceased person, thereby creating a child after the death of a genetic parent. This article reviews and compares legislation governing posthumous reproduction in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Israel. It shows that each country has its own distinctive features, yet three common elements exist-legal ambiguity, a requirement for prior consent, and permission for the partner, but not the parents, to retrieve and use the deceased's gametes. The article demonstrates that courts often do not follow the legal requirements, and thus there are no clear guiding principles regarding posthumous reproduction.Thearticle then discusses three justifications for permitting posthumous reproduction in the absence of the deceased's prior consent.The first justification relates to an interest in 'genetic continuity', which reflects people's desire in leaving a 'piece' of themselves in the world and maintaining a chain of continuity.Thesecond justification concerns the 'respect-for-wishes' model of autonomy, according to which peoplemust be treated in a way thatwe assume they wouldwant to be treated.Thethird justification touches upon the interests of the deceased's partner and parents, as well as of the resulting child.