The Medical Nonnecessity of In Vitro Fertilization

Bibliographic Data

ID17814490
AuthorsCarolyn McLeod (0000-0002-0258-9117, corresponding author)
Year2017
Volume10
Issue1
Pages78-102
Publication date2017-02-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Feminist Approaches to Bioethics (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1937-4577 • E-ISSN: 1937-4585
PublisherUniversity of Toronto Press Inc. (UTPress) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.3138/ijfab.10.1.78
OpenAlexW2599436626
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited33

Debate has raged in Canada recently over whether in vitro fertilization (IVF) should be funded through public health insurance. Such a move would require that the provinces classify IVF as a medically necessary service. In this paper, I defend the position I have taken publicly—especially in Ontario, my own province—that IVF is not medically necessary. I contend that, by funding IVF on grounds of medical necessity, governments like Ontario's violate their commitments to equality and fairness, and cause harm. They do the last by suggesting that the lives of people who forgo procreation, and perhaps have children in other ways (e.g., through adoption), will be stunted

Biology · Business · Harm · In vitro fertilisation · Political science · Pregnancy · Assisted Reproductive Technology and Twin Pregnancy · Homicide, Infanticide, and Child Abuse · Law · Reproductive Health and Technologies · Genetics

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