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Screening the Single Euploid Embryo pp 377–393Cite as

Crossing the Rubicon: Assisted Reproductive Technologies and Remaining Human

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Abstract

Over the past three decades, IVF and the various assisted reproductive technologies to which it has given birth have regularly raised fresh ethical and regulatory dilemmas for medical practice. The latest of these, mitochondrial replacement (or mitochondrial donation), has recently been in the spotlight in the UK with legislation to permit two techniques coming before Parliament. This contribution describes the process by which the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority sought to consult the public and explore the scientific, ethical and regulatory complexities of this novel and controversial technology. Written by a member of the HFEA’s Oversight Group who is an ordained scientist, it also offers some reflections on the tensions which the Church of England has sought to hold in relation to ARTs and being human.

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Acknowledgements

The author is grateful to Ecclesiastical Insurance Group for the award of a Ministry Bursary in preparing this manuscript and to Dr. Andy Greenfield, Sam Hartley and Hannah Verdin for their reflections and support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Office of the Bishop of Swindon, Bristol Diocese, Church of England, Swindon, UK

    Lee S. Rayfield Ph.D., B.Sc., SOSc.

  2. Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority, London, UK

    Lee S. Rayfield Ph.D., B.Sc., SOSc.

Authors
  1. Lee S. Rayfield Ph.D., B.Sc., SOSc.
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Correspondence to Lee S. Rayfield Ph.D., B.Sc., SOSc. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Advanced Genetics, Reproductive Research Section, Carlsbad, California, USA

    E Scott Sills

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Rayfield, L.S. (2015). Crossing the Rubicon: Assisted Reproductive Technologies and Remaining Human. In: Sills, E. (eds) Screening the Single Euploid Embryo. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16892-0_28

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16892-0_28

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-16891-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-16892-0

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