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Advancements in Medical Technology
1. Birth Control Pill:
Developed with significant funding and support from American feminist Margaret Sanger, the birth control pill was a revolutionary advancement for women.
The pill contained hormones that drastically reduced the likelihood of pregnancy when ingested.
It quickly spread to Europe and was heralded by many women as a means of gaining control over their reproductive choices.
2. Safer Abortion Procedures:
While abortion has been practiced for centuries, the 20th century brought significant improvements in the safety of the procedure.
The introduction of antiseptic tools and antibiotics reduced the risk of infection, making abortion a far safer option for women.
3. Fertility Treatments:
Historically, infertility was often viewed as a judgment from God, with little to no medical recourse available.
In the 20th century, advancements in understanding the causes of infertility led to the development of medical treatments.
The most revolutionary of these was in vitro fertilization (IVF):
IVF involves the union of an egg and sperm outside the woman's body, typically in a glass test tube, hence the term "test tube babies."
The first successful IVF baby was born in England in 1978, marking a significant breakthrough in reproductive medicine.
4. Genetic Engineering:
Genetic engineering, in its broader sense, has a long history, such as selective breeding by farmers.
However, the 20th century brought a new level of sophistication, with scientists learning to alter the genetic code (DNA) of organisms.
This technology has the potential to cure certain genetic diseases, but it also sparked significant controversy.
Social and Moral Questions:
The introduction of these medical technologies raised significant social and moral questions.
Concerns included the ethics of controlling reproduction, the implications of genetic manipulation, and the potential consequences of these technologies on society.
Objections to Medical Technology
Social Concerns:
Increased Longevity and Economic Impact:
Advances in medical technology led to longer life expectancies, which, while beneficial, posed significant societal challenges.
Many European countries had become welfare states in the post-war era, offering cradle-to-grave medical care funded through taxes.
As people began living longer, the cost of providing medical care increased, requiring higher taxes to sustain these healthcare systems.
This led to a social dilemma, as few people were willing to pay higher taxes despite the increased demand for healthcare services.
Moral Concerns:
Birth Control and Abortion:
The Roman Catholic Church was the primary moral objector to the widespread use of birth control and abortion.
The Church maintained that God alone had the authority to "open and close the womb," so using the birth control pill was seen as humans overstepping their divine boundaries.
Regarding abortion, the Catholic Church believed that life began at the moment of conception. Therefore, terminating a pregnancy was considered equivalent to murder, as it was ending a human life made in the image of God.
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF):
The Catholic Church also objected to IVF on similar grounds. If God had closed a woman's womb, it was not for humans to forcibly open it through artificial means like a test tube.
The process of creating life outside the natural womb was seen as an infringement on divine authority.
Genetic Engineering:
Genetic engineering, particularly in its ability to alter human DNA, raised significant ethical concerns.
A major objection was the fear of eugenics, the practice of selecting and promoting desirable traits while eliminating undesirable ones.
The horrors of eugenics were notably associated with Hitler's Final Solution, which aimed to eliminate entire races and promote Aryan genetics.
With advancements in genetic engineering, the possibility of altering human characteristics at the embryonic level frightened many, as it echoed the dark history of eugenics.
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