Designing deaf babies and the question of disability

Area of Science:

• Disability Studies
• Reproductive Ethics
• Cultural Anthropology

Background:

• Controversy over a Deaf lesbian couple seeking a Deaf donor for a d/Deaf child.
• Criticism based on perceived harm vs. cultural desire.
• Implicit use of the medical model of disability in the debate.

Purpose of the Study:

• Analyze the ethical implications of the Deaf couple's choice.
• Examine the role of the medical model versus the social construction of disability.
• Explore how the social model supports the ethical defense of seeking a d/Deaf child.

Main Methods:

• Critical analysis of the controversy.
• Application of disability studies frameworks, particularly the social model of disability.
• Ethical reasoning regarding reproductive choices within cultural contexts.

Main Results:

• The medical model obscures key ethical and cultural aspects of the decision.
• The social construction of disability provides a stronger ethical framework for the couple's choice.
• Seeking a d/Deaf child can be framed as a way to mitigate disability conditions.

Conclusions:

• Re-evaluating disability through a social lens supports the ethical considerations of the Deaf couple.
• The desire for a d/Deaf child can be understood as a cultural and identity-affirming choice.
• This perspective challenges the notion of harm and highlights potential benefits within the family's context.