THE FUTURE OF REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS
TOWARDS THE COMMODIFICATION OF HUMAN REPRODUCTION IN A POST-COITAL ERA
A REFLECTION PAPER
BY LUIS MORA
Disclaimer
The opinions and views expressed in this reflection paper are those of the author. They do not reflect those of any organization or institution.
Summary
Recent changes in human reproduction are rewriting much of our modern paradigms on sexuality, reproduction, gender relations, and reproductive rights. Developed societies – but increasingly worldwide – are witnessing a second scientific revolution that opens completely new possibilities of creating human life. Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) have emerged from the realm of science fiction and are radically changing modern understandings and practices of human reproduction, raising new ethical, legal and societal dilemmas. Mitochondrial replacement therapies, uterus transplants, gene editing or genetic engineering, are some of the most innovative reproductive techniques that are contributing to an increasing detachment between biological and artificial reproduction.
Current transformations, and those to come, might indeed reshape the fabric of a new society in a way in which artificial reproduction will gradually replace biological reproduction, thus ushering a so-called ‘post-coital’ era. Some of these options expand reproductive choices for women and individuals and may have a positive influence on reproductive autonomy and rights, the ability to better plan the course of lives rationally while preventing genetic diseases and congenital malformations. However, these changes are also accompanied by new forms of control and exploitation of women’s bodies, including the commodification of human reproduction, as well as the potential establishment of more sophisticated population control and eugenics policies. Within that context, reproduction, including the reproductive rights’ agenda, will be more than ever at the center of global and national ethical, scientific, political, and economic concerns in the years to come.
THE AUTHOR
Luis Mora has 30 years of experience in the field of international cooperation for development, population, health, human rights and gender equality, in different international multilateral organizations such as the United Nations. He has held different positions both globally, regionally, and nationally. His professional career has developed in diverse geographical and cultural contexts, including Scandinavia, Sub-Saharan Africa, the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Maghreb region.
He has completed postgraduate studies in human rights, international relations and law, development cooperation, and economic history at the Inter-American Institute of Human Rights, the Diplomatic School of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the University of Barcelona (Spain), the University of Oslo (Norway) and the University of the Balearic Islands (Spain). He is the author and co-author of several books and/or articles on various issues related to development, population issues, gender equality and human rights, including reproductive rights.
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For the total or partial use of this paper, please mention the source as follows:
Mora, Luis (2024) The Future of Reproductive Rights. Towards the Commodification of Human Reproduction in a Post-Coital Era. www.thefutureofreproductiverights.org