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| Sunday, 22 May 2005 |
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Doctors discuss ethics of test tube babies by Rohan Mathes A balance has to be reached between the need of a client and what is considered as the 'ethically acceptable', when considering ethical issues of 'Assisted Reproduction' (AR), observed Professor Harshalal Seneviratne. Prof. Seneviratne who is Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo made this observation at a public seminar on 'Ethics in Science', at the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) auditorium last week. He elaborated that in considering ethical issues of AR, there is a close link between technology, provision of the services and socio-cultural issues. Therefore it was necessary for each community to derive its own norms for the facility. Its significance revolves around the understanding that what is done to help those in one generation, will affect the welfare and the very existence of a future generation. AR was the foundation for the development of methods to manipulate the basic biological building blocks, the genes. Utilising the technology in a rational way to overcome disease and improve quality of life, was at their discretion. Childlessness, albeit a perennial and universal problem, has been highlighted now, due to its increasing prevalence, low fertility and the contribution of environmental factors as a cause. Sri Lankan fertility rates have reached a level where only two children are produced per couple. "While stabilisation of the population would be now achievable, those who are unable to conceive are a very important group in society. Technological innovations have contributed to provide a relief for these couples although the effort and the cost needed to overcome this problem is enormous", Prof. Seneviratne added. |
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