Same-sex reproduction and genetic relatedness : future possibilities and related normative issues

Genetic parenthood is an important life goal for many heterosexual as well as same-sex couples. However, the latter currently lack the option to share genetic parenthood with their partners. Yet, some people have claimed that the future possibility to create gametes from stem cells could make shared genetic parenthood possible for same-sex couples. Still, it has been countered that such statements create false hope: for this to become possible, the technique of gamete derivation from stem cells would have to be perfected. Moreover, egg cells would have to be derived from men and sperm from women, which is believed to be nigh-on-impossible. In this presentation a (technically) more plausible scenario will be suggested to enable same-sex couples to parent a child who is genetically related to both partners, albeit not in the same degree and although the cooperation of a donor of the opposite sex is still required. Besides safety concerns, such a prospect raises various contentious questions. Most questions relate to the contested value of genetic parenthood: how far should we go to accommodate this?, would such services prompt a reinforcement of the presumed importance of genetic kinship?, and even if one deems the value of genetic parenthood dubious, doesn’t consistency require that the desire of same-sex couples to reproduce should prima facie be valued equally as this desire in opposite-sex couples?, so don’t we owe same sex couples more than what the alternative scenario offers? Questions like these will be addressed in this presentation.Genetic parenthood is an important life goal for many heterosexual as well as same-sex couples. However, the latter currently lack the option to share genetic parenthood with their partners. Yet, some people have claimed that the future possibility to create gametes from stem cells could make shared genetic parenthood possible for same-sex couples. Still, it has been countered that such statements create false hope: for this to become possible, the technique of gamete derivation from stem cells would have to be perfected. Moreover, egg cells would have to be derived from men and sperm from women, which is believed to be nigh-on-impossible. In this presentation a (technically) more plausible scenario will be suggested to enable same-sex couples to parent a child who is genetically related to both partners, albeit not in the same degree and although the cooperation of a donor of the opposite sex is still required. Besides safety concerns, such a prospect raises various contentious questions. Most questions relate to the contested value of genetic parenthood: how far should we go to accommodate this?, would such services prompt a reinforcement of the presumed importance of genetic kinship?, and even if one deems the value of genetic parenthood dubious, doesn’t consistency require that the desire of same-sex couples to reproduce should prima facie be valued equally as this desire in opposite-sex couples?, so don’t we owe same sex couples more than what the alternative scenario offers? Questions like these will be addressed in this presentation.C