Controlling Our Reproductive Destiny: A Technological and Philosophical Perspective (New Liberal Arts)

Controlling Our Reproductive Destiny covers today's revolution in reproduction-controlling and reproduction-aiding technologies. It focuses on the ways in which science can now provide real procreative choices, while at the same time giving equal treatment to ethical, legal, and social dimensions of these advances.

Introductory chapters discuss procreative options, present an ethical and legal framework for evaluating reproduction-controlling and reproduction-aiding technologies, and describe the human reproductive system. Kaplan and Tong then present in detail methods of contraception (including new contraceptive ideas for both women and men), sterilization, abortion, fertility and infertility, artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer, and contracted motherhood. Throughout, they provide a comprehensive and integrated discussion of the philosophical implications of new developments in these areas.

Lawrence J. Kaplan is Professor of Chemistry at Williams College. Rosemarie Tong is Samuel and Mary Thatcher Professor of Philosophy and Medical Humanities at Davidson College.