Understanding legal responses to technological change in Lithuania since 1990: Examples of assisted reproduction and skin care procedures regulation

Abstract

During the last 30 years, Lithuania experienced substantial political, economic, social, technological, and legal changes. Nowadays, technology became an integrated part of our daily life not only by helping us to connect but also in assisting people to stop aging processes or even to create new life. The aim of this chapter is to provide a brief overview, by way of two case-specific examples, of how the Lithuanian law responds to technological progress in the areas of assisted reproduction and skin care procedures regulation. Authors have analyzed the general aspects of the legal response to assisted reproduction technologies in Lithuania since 1990. General aspects of the legal regulation and jurisprudence with respect to recent selected skin care procedures regulation in Lithuania are also discussed. The chapter concludes that, for quite some time now, Lithuania has taken steps and has tried to find a balance between the legal, ethical, and social aspects of scientific achievements. For now, we have the decision with respect to assisted reproduction regulation, but it is not the end of this journey as some remaining questions are still very controversial, for example, the indefinite safekeeping of embryos. It is also up to the regulators to balance the protection of patients' and consumers' rights and at the same time guarantee fair market competition in the beauty industry. The question of restrictions and qualification requirements for the performance of certain new beauty procedures (for example, skin care procedures) is also of no less importance in the nearest future.