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Document Details :

Title: Vrouwen in de medische praktijk van de voortplanting en het spreken over bio-ethiek
Subtitle: Een standpuntbepaling
Author(s): AMMICHT-QUINN, Regina , BOBBERT, Monika , HAKER, Hille , HEIMBACH-STEINS, Marianne , KOSTKA, Ulrike , MENSINK, Dagmar , SCHMEDDERS, Mechtild , SCHMIDT, Susanna , SCHNEIDER, Marlies
Journal: Tijdschrift voor Theologie
Volume: 47    Issue: 2   Date: 2007   
Pages: 116-135
DOI: 10.2143/TVT.47.2.3203520

Abstract :
This position paper is the occasion for this thematic issue. It is written by nine women specialists from Germany. The document – presented here in Dutch translation – starts from the observation that reproductive medicine and discussions on bio-ethics often assume a neutral guise while the discourse exhibits many blind spots and sometimes implicit ideological presuppositions are at work that often leave women holding the bag. The working paper focuses on three areas of activity in reproductive medicine: prenatal diagnostics, in vitro fertilisation and pre-implantation diagnostics. The initial analysis of the systematic logic inherent in these three fields plainly shows that the three areas assume the position of techniques that offer help and a cure, while actually they imply a reduction of the complex lives of women and couples. A broader perspective is needed to avoid their being dominated by medicine or being required to serve as instruments or objects. Four themes step forward to provide this broader perspective: experience, corporality, autonomy and impairment/restriction. The articulation of and reflection on these themes are the core of this position paper which culminates in several practical recommendations.

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