Ethical aspects of reproduction in the next century

Doubtless, the technological advancements achieved in the current century in the area of young women's reproductive health care have also led to the evolution of very important ethical issues that will have to be dealt with in the coming century. Abortion, perhaps the most controversial issue of all, continues to raise a number of ethical issues related to the rights of the women versus the rights of the fetus, which, in addition to the risk of sexually transmitted diseases including the human immunodeficiency virus, emphasize the need for adequate family planning and sexual education. Genetic testing for late-onset diseases, disease susceptibilities, and carrier status may offer medical or psychological benefits; however, several complex ethical, legal, and social issues have been revealed with the advent of this new information. New family structures deviating from the traditional heterosexual couple, consisting of either single or lesbian mothers, have appeared, raising serious disputes regarding the welfare of the child. Important demographic changes are expected in the world population in the 21st century, characterized mainly by a significant increase of the older age groups.