Redefining parenthood and protecting embryos: why we need new laws - PubMed (original) (raw)

Redefining parenthood and protecting embryos: why we need new laws

G J Annas. Hastings Cent Rep. 1984 Oct.

Abstract

KIE: Artificial methods of reproduction have raised profound social and ethical issues touching on the nature of family relationships and the value of the human embryo. Artificial insemination by donor has been handled by presuming the mother's husband to be the legal father of the child; now the technique of surrogate embryo transfer has further complicated the parenthood issue by making it possible to distinguish among the genetic mother, the gestational mother, and the rearing mother. Annas argues that it is in the interest of the family to codify the current legal presumption that the gestational mother is the legal mother, unless she agrees to relinquish parental rights. In the case of embryos that are not replaced in the ovum donor, he maintains that the gamete donors should have decision-making authority over whether the embryos may be frozen and for what purpose, and contends that sales of frozen embryos should be forbidden.

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