Abstract

Since the birth of Louise Brown in 1978 there has been much discussion worldwide on the ethics of reproductive technologies. Professional ethicists and the public at large have addressed significant questions concerning the nature of human parenthood, the status of human life at its earliest stage of the development and the role of science in the area of human reproduction. Societies have, in general, argued that reproductive technologies have societal consequences and should therefore be regulated by society through the civil law. Many societies set up interdisciplinary groups to assist in the forming of legislation in this area. The commission set up under the leadership of Dame Warnock in Britain is probably the best known example of the work of such a group and their influence on the formation of legislation.