ABSTRACT
Challenging social and ethical issues are being confronted at the intersection of two major features of the contemporary world. First is the rapid emergence of new genetics and genomics knowledge and technologies. These pose especially difficult questions in the field of human reproduction – where developments such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF), screening for sex and other selection characteristics, and the use of stem cells are the focus of much controversy, and of efforts to establish public policies and professional practice (Annas 1998; Petersen and Bunton 2002; Davis 2001). Second, issues of international development, and specifically the ‘health divide’ between developed and developing countries, as well as the divides that exist within them (Daar et al. 2000; WHO 2002a). The two sets of issues relate, on the one hand, to international technology diffusion and management (WHO 2002b), and on the other, to population growth and reproductive rights (UNDP 2001; Galvez Perez and Matamala 2002; Petchesky and Correˆa 1994). These are issues that have been typically studied in isolation, but the
intersection of these two sets of features is profoundly important, as is apparent in European as well as in Latin American countries. Technologies have been developed that allow gametes, genes and embryos to be manipulated for research and fertilisation therapy, gene selection, enhancement or profit. If the technical and managerial skills are available, these technologies are relatively easy to transfer. In Latin American countries, the new technologies are being increasingly introduced to overcome infertility or the transmission of hereditary disorders. Research on, and applications of, new reproductive technologies (NRTs) question traditional norms and values (Luna 2003), giving rise to portrayals of the technologies as related to abortion or eugenics (Macklin 1999, 2000). Numerous social and ethical concerns are associated with this biomedi-
cal research and its applications (Stein 2000; Council of Europe 1998; UNESCO 1997; Levine and Gorovitz with Gallagher 2000; CIOMS 2002; HFEA 1991). How these issues are confronted varies across countries,
depending in part on cultural contexts, norms and values. In Latin America, problems associated with the use of NRTs are especially acute. This chapter argues that lack of support for social research and govern-
ance frameworks on NRTs in Latin America can further intensify existing health divides, domestically and internationally. First, it briefly reviews the gender-aware international literature and discusses the main reasons for the scant evidence on Latin American NRTs. Second, it explores recent trends in local NRTs and shows how they question identity formation with specific relation to traditional norms and values. Third, it presents casestudy results on the main socio-ethical dilemmas associated with their use in a context of limited regulatory frameworks and illustrates some transformations in local notions of pregnancy and motherhood. Finally, it concludes with policy recommendations for global and Latin American governance of NRTs.
