The Value of Life and Reproductive and Professional Autonomy

Bibliographic Data

ID21598529
AuthorsLibby Frith (0000-0002-8506-0699, University of Manchester, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume34
Issue2
Pages184-195
Publication date2025-04-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueCambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0963-1801 • E-ISSN: 1469-2147
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0963180124000537
PMID39523978
OpenAlexW4404247998
LanguageEN
References cited22

This article considers John Harris’ work on autonomy, specifically reproductive autonomy, outlined in The Value of Life and developed throughout his career. Harris often used the concept of reproductive autonomy to make the case for liberal approaches to developments in reproductive and genetic technologies. Harris argued that reproductive autonomy should be highly valued, and therefore we need compelling arguments to justify limiting it in anyway. When discussing reproductive autonomy, Harris focused mainly on restrictions on the potential users of reproductive technologies autonomy, that is, prospective parents. This article extends the discussion of autonomy and the appropriate limits to individuals exercising their autonomy to medical professionals working in this area. Given reproductive technologies have become part of routine medical practice, this article considers whether the current restrictions on both patients and clinicians, as imposed by regulators and professional guidelines, remain ethically justified

Autonomy · Biology · Economics · Environmental ethics · Political science · Pregnancy · Reproduction · Social science · Sociology · Value of life · Value systems · Computer Science · Ethics in medical practice · Law · Philosophy · Political Philosophy and Ethics · Psychology · Reproductive Health and Technologies · Reproductive Medicine

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