Reproductive technologies and the global bioethics debate: A philosophical analysis of the report on art and parenthood of the international bioethics committee of unesco

Abstract

Over the last few decades an increasingly pressing social demand for access to assisted reproductive technologies (ART) has emerged. Alongside the use of reproductive technologies, relevant bioethical and biolegal issues arise, such as the claim of a "right"to have a child, the so-called "reproductive rights", of the prospective parents and the rights of children. This paper explores these and further challenges, both old and new, calling for a transformation of parenthood and filiation, from the perspective of the different theories of the contemporary pluralistic debate, with a descriptive and critical analysis of the recent Report on ART of the Unesco International Bioethics Committee, the first global document on these topics.