An Introduction to Law and Bioethics

The purpose of this book is to determine the extent to which existing law and legal policy is consistent with bioethical principles, and the extent to which it is adequately equipped to deal with emergent genetic technologies and the prenatal issues they raise. It should be noted that the parameters set by the topic of this paper require a comparative analysis of bioethics and the law. It therefore falls outside the scope of this paper to undertake a detailed analysis of feminist thought in the area of research. However, given the centrality of women to the issue of childbirth and pregnancy, it is submitted that one is (bio)ethically compelled to consider the interests of women in these areas. Thus, whilst not comprehensive, nor intended to be representative of all women’s views, some of the most common criticisms and concerns encountered in feminist literature will be examined in the course of discussion. This will be done particularly with respect to the maternal/foetal relationship, and in the arguments against genetic testing based on the eugenic fear. Similarly, some of the most commonly expressed concerns regarding genetic testing raised by the disabled community will be addressed. In view of the technical nature of some aspects of this paper, a glossary of medical terms is provided. Discussion begins, with an outline of some of the most important current advances in genetic technology.