Ethical, Legal and Social Issues in Utilizing In Vitro Gametogenesis (IVG) and Stem Cell-Based Embryo Models (SCBEMs) for Human Reproduction in Singapore.
Alexis Heng Boon Chin, Ido Alon, Timothy Anand Weerasekera, Jean Didier Bosenge-Nguma, Ningyu Sun
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Abstract
Singapore is a small, affluent and technologically advanced city-state located in Southeast Asia. Due to its lack of natural resources, this country relies heavily on its highly educated and skilled workforce to drive its economic engine. However, in recent years, Singapore has been facing a demographic crunch due to its ultra-low fertility rate and rapidly aging population, which poses an existential threat to its survival as a nation-state. The advent of new reproductive technologies such as In Vitro Gametogenesis (IVG) and Stem Cell-Based Embryo Models (SCBEMs) may thus provide novel fertility treatment options for local patients, which may possibly alleviate Singapore's ultra-low birthrate. Nevertheless, these new technology platforms also raise various controversial ethical, legal and social issues. It is anticipated that the application of SCBEMs (also known as synthetic embryos) in human reproduction will likely be banned because these entities are viewed as human clones. Conversely, IVG technology is expected to receive approval in Singapore for a narrow range of applications in human clinical assisted reproduction, as it seeks to recapitulate the natural process of human sexual reproduction and is more aligned with Singapore's family laws and sociocultural values. It is anticipated that IVG will be permitted for the treatments of primary infertility and age-related female infertility, facilitating transgender and intersex parenthood and preventing the transmission of genetic diseases. However, the applications of IVG in posthumous reproduction, mass production of donor gametes, genetic enhancement of offspring, same-sex, solo- and multiplex-parenthood, will likely be banned.
期刊介绍：
Health Care Analysis is a journal that promotes dialogue and debate about conceptual and normative issues related to health and health care, including health systems, healthcare provision, health law, public policy and health, professional health practice, health services organization and decision-making, and health-related education at all levels of clinical medicine, public health and global health. Health Care Analysis seeks to support the conversation between philosophy and policy, in particular illustrating the importance of conceptual and normative analysis to health policy, practice and research. As such, papers accepted for publication are likely to analyse philosophical questions related to health, health care or health policy that focus on one or more of the following: aims or ends, theories, frameworks, concepts, principles, values or ideology. All styles of theoretical analysis are welcome providing that they illuminate conceptual or normative issues and encourage debate between those interested in health, philosophy and policy. Papers must be rigorous, but should strive for accessibility – with care being taken to ensure that their arguments and implications are plain to a broad academic and international audience. In addition to purely theoretical papers, papers grounded in empirical research or case-studies are very welcome so long as they explore the conceptual or normative implications of such work. Authors are encouraged, where possible, to have regard to the social contexts of the issues they are discussing, and all authors should ensure that they indicate the ‘real world’ implications of their work. Health Care Analysis publishes contributions from philosophers, lawyers, social scientists, healthcare educators, healthcare professionals and administrators, and other health-related academics and policy analysts.
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