Is it possible to justify freezing embryos for use in fertility treatment while - hypothetically - opposing on moral grounds the destruction of an embryo by abortion?
Freezing of an embryo is a routine process that encompasses IVF (in vitro fertilization) as well as ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm) treatment. It entails preserving embryos at sub-zero temperatures ( Rumbold et al., 2019). Thus, it is can be justified as an approach that yields success when it comes to fertility treatment. The perceived benefits of its use make this technique viable since embryos which are left over can be stored for future use. Therefore, the fertility health of the patient is enhanced as well as their well-being. Other benefits that are associated with the procedure are ease of avoidance of gonadotrophin stimulation as well as repetition of egg collections ( Rumbold et al., 2019) . All the same, these illustrations showcase that there are many health benefits associated with embryo freezing as fertility treatment is bolstered. The approach is also less costly in addition to offering patients the ability to facilitate and control their pregnancies.
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On the same note, justification of freezing embryos can also mean that one opposes destruction of an embryo by abortion. It is the ethical obligation associated with faith that embryo life ought to be protected and freezing of embryos limits this ( Serour & Dickens, 2017) . For instance, in the event that the stored embryos are not used for implantation, they are terminated. The ethical approach would be to ensure that the spare embryos are used for their intended purpose and not for experimentation and further studies to enhance knowledge relating to fertility treatment ( Serour & Dickens, 2017). Using moral grounds, abortion allows termination of life which is wrong. Ethically it is wrong to kill innocent people and abortion this to be achieved. The ethical dilemma that exists is whether fetus should be categorized as human beings although they are born. All the same, they are alive and their destruction amounts to killing which is unethical.
Is it possible to justify condemning on moral grounds the freezing of embryos?
Condemnation of freezing embryos on moral grounds entails analysis of its wrongs from an ethical perspective to identify whether it’s justifiable. This approach is part of IVF (in vitro fertilization). Therefore, one of its dynamics is that there is embryo destruction ( Jones, 2018) . There are situations where the stored embryos are not used and in such cases they should be disposed. Their disposal means that they are destroyed which is killing them ( Jones, 2018) . The decision to take life is unethical and moral unacceptable. In some cases, the embryos are in bad condition and they cannot be used. In such cases, they are also destroyed which is killing. It should follow that viable embryo should all be used as disposing them is unethical. Thawing is part of freezing embryos as it makes the process viable. However, the rate of survival rate of the zygotes, D3 embryos, and blastocysts is not 100% ( Pavone et al., 2011). According to their study, Pavone et al., (2011) make the assertion that survival chances for zygotes is 69%, D3 embryos is 85%, while blastocysts is at 88% ( Pavone et al., 2011). Thus, embryo freezing should not be adopted as it does not guarantee safety of life.
In addition to posing a myriad of risks that threaten the survival of zygotes, D3 embryos, and blastocysts, the process sis quite costly. As much as it has a higher percentage of yielding success and meeting its set objectives, the financial implications are high which is not ethical. It should follow that life conservation and preservation should not be that costly as doctors are seeking to make to better the fertility health of the patients. The process is being manipulated as a means through which financial gains can be attained. It is wrong that that people should be manipulated simply for their drive to have children and develop families.
References
Jones, D. G. (2018). An Exploration of Religiously Based Opposition to Clinical and Scientific Interference with the Embryo. In Reflections on Bioethics . IntechOpen.
Pavone, M. E., Innes, J., Hirshfeld-Cytron, J., Kazer, R., & Zhang, J. (2011). Comparing thaw survival, implantation and live birth rates from cryopreserved zygotes, embryos and blastocysts. Journal of human reproductive sciences , 4 (1), 23.
Rumbold, A. R., Moore, V. M., & Davies, M. J. (2019). Addressing knowledge gaps in long ‐ term outcomes following embryo freezing. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology , 126 (2), 270-270.
Serour, G. I., & Dickens, B. M. (2017). Ethical and Legal Issues Arising from Complications of ART. Complications and Outcomes of Assisted Reproduction , 164.
