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For Further Reflection
91
but should accept whatever happens as God’s will for them. What are the
issues involved in this decision, and how would you advise the Friesens if
they asked for your counsel?
Glossary
A r t if ic ia l in s em in a t io n (AI):
Injection of sperm cells either into a
woman’s vagina or into her uterus, with the hope that one will fertilize
the woman’s ovum (egg) and lead to pregnancy. The sperm may be
from the woman’s husband (AIH) or from someone else—a donor
(AID). Quite often the donor is unknown to the prospective mother; the
sperm is obtained from a sperm bank.
Embryo transfer (ET):
Transfer of an embryo conceived in one womb to
the womb of another woman. The embryo is transferred before it can
implant it the original womb.
Genetic engineering:
Term most broadly and most commonly used to
refer to the use of genetics to design human descendents, and the
manipulation of the entire living world for the supposed benefit of
humanity. More precisely, the term denotes any technical intervention
in the structure of genes, for such purposes as the removal of a harmful
gene, the enhancement of a particular genetic capacity, or the changing
of an organism’s genetic structure. Sometimes the term is used to refer
to reproductive technologies in general.
G enetics:
Study of genes (the chromosome units that determine one’s
hereditary characteristics) and the application of that knowledge to a
number of experimental and clinical uses.
In vitro fertilization (IVF):
Combining of a woman’s egg(s) and a man’s
sperm in a petri dish, followed by the insertion of the fertilized egg into
the womb.
Surrogacy:
Most often the process in which a couple chooses another
woman (the surrogate) to be artificially inseminated with the man’s
sperm. In theory the surrogate will carry the baby to term, giving it up
to the couple at birth (genetic surrogacy). Also refers to the process in
which the parent couple’s sperm and ovum are combined in vitro, and
the embryo placed in the womb of the surrogate (gestational or genuine
surrogacy). Again, the surrogate gives up the baby at birth.
Annotated Bibliography
Anderson, W. French. “Genetics and Human Malleability.”
Hastings Center
Report
20 (January/February 1990): 21-24. Rejects any enhancement of
human nature through genetic engineering, but approves of genetic
technology to correct disease.