Paper: reproductive issues

[MB37]

I need to write a paper for my ethical/legal class on something to do with reproductive issues. It's supposed to be a persuasive paper, but of course we have to present both sides. I go to a public university, but somehow they have hired an actual nun to teach this course. My opinions on most reproductive issues tend to be the opposite of what the Catholic church preaches, so I'm a little nervous about what to write it on. I was thinking about pharmacists' right to refuse to fill prescriptions for EC or BC, because to some extent I can see both sides of the issue. My other idea was the efficacy of abstinece-only education. Does anyone have any comments, or other ideas for me? Thanks!

[momababyrn]

What about the number of embryos a reprductive endocrinologist can transfer for IVF and FET( frozen embryo transfer) cycles?

[rn/writer, RN]

Another ethical dilemma is what to do with "leftover" frozen embryos. Should they be destroyed? Should they be given to other couples? Should they be used as bargaining chips in a divorce settlement?

Plenty to think about.

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

please don't be intimidated by a nun! i came from a catholic family where i have a number of cousins who have gone into a religious life. my brother and sister-in-law have the priests and nuns of their parish over to their house all the time to just visit and relax. they are people just like you and i. they can sit around and shoot the breeze, watch ball games, get angry over dumb stuff and do embarrassing things just like all the rest of us. don't be afraid, or think you are going to insult them, by taking a view you think the catholic church may not like. i'm sure your instructor who just happens to be a nun would much rather you demonstrate that you are using your noodle and thinking on this. she is most likely quite educated and very knowledgeable about these issues.

i took a required religion class taught by a nun at a catholic college. she was a hoot. in another age some might have thought she was blasphemous. but, she was trying to get us to think. she was the first religious person i had run across who had a bible that looked in worse shape and marked up worse than any student's textbook i had ever seen!

[carachel2]

I think an issue in reproductive technology that is not yet fully explored is the ethical consideration of insurance coverage for infertility treatments. Some will argue that it is a "disease" that should therefore be treated and covered fully under insurance while still others will argue that reproduction is not a "right" and not life threatening and therefore should not be covered.

[queenjean]

I think a major issue in reproductive rights that isn't getting much press is the issue of VBAC vs mandatory repeat C-section.

Think about it. By making broad decisions based on lawsuits, not on evidenced based practice, hospitals are limiting women's reproductive rights on many levels.

A) *YOU* should have the right to choose whether you undergo major abdominal surgery or not.

B) If you are of a persuation that believes in large families, having multiple c-sections definitely limits your ability to have that large family. It, in effect, acts as a means to control your reproduction. Most women cannot have 6 or 8 or 10 c-sections without some sort of catastrophic event occuring.

C) Mandatory repeat c-sections takes all decision making control away from the woman and gives it to the hospital/health care system. It does not allow a woman to balance the pros and cons (short term and long term), discuss her individual case with her physician, and make the decision that is best for her.

This is just a broad, off the cuff overview. I think this is a big deal in women's reproductive rights--and it is one that doesn't have to encompass the abortion issue, if you don't want to go there. Actually, some women in our area wrote a letter to the hospitals, stating this was impairing their ability to practice their religion (Catholic) as it would endanger them to have larger families.

Just another idea for you!

Jean

[Race Mom, ASN, RN]

The best way to write a persuasive paper is to write it opposite of your beliefs. So, if you were pro-life, write a persuasive paper on pro-abortion. That way, you find more facts to write about, instead of just feelings and stigmas.

How about a paper on single mothers and artificial insimmination (totally spelled that wrong). You know, the ladies in their mid fourties or so, not married, no relationships, but want to have children, so they find a donor or go to a sperm bank and do it all on their own.

[MB37]

Thank you so far!

[fleur-de-lis, BSN, RN]

What about writing about fertility treatments versus adoption. There are THOUSANDS of children in foster care waiting for "forever homes", yet couples spend THOUSANDS of dollars to conceive one of their own. It might be less of a hot button topic if that is what you are going for.

[moonischasingme1]

Yeah, I'm in the other section of this class and I'm trying to find an end of life issue. I wouldn't worry about what her opinion is too much. Although she can be a...well, I won't say it...I still think she is a professional and she will give you a good grade if you follow directions. Also, I heard she left the nunnery...dun dun dun.

[ohioRN07]

A related issue I wrote about in Bioethics was the fathers and even extended families repoductive rights and responsibilities, as far as minor mothers/fathers, child support, sibling rights, societal claims on children, and societal rights to things like incarceration, the draft, eminent domain and relating that to pregnancy. I wrote form a contractual/property law viewpoint and it was fairly easy to put for both sides with strong examples and case law on each viewpoint, not all fromt he US courts though.