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Proceeding carefully: assisted human reproduction policy in Canada
1Department of Bioethics, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifac, Canada. mavis.jones@dal.ca
Public Understanding of Science (Bristol, England)
|October 28, 2010
Summary
Canada's Assisted Human Reproduction Act (AHR Act) resulted from feminist activism, US influence, professional elite roles, and federal-provincial tensions. This policy development highlights internal and external pressures.
Area of Science:
- Bioethics
- Health Policy
- Reproductive Law
Background:
- The Assisted Human Reproduction Act (AHR Act) in Canada, enacted in 2004, followed 15 years of policy debate.
- Assisted human reproduction is a field marked by significant ethical and societal controversy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the policy development process leading to Canada's AHR Act.
- To identify key influences shaping the legislation.
Main Methods:
- Semi-structured elite interviews.
- Extensive documentary research.
Main Results:
- Feminist activism balanced reproductive technology concerns with protections against commodification.
- Canada's policy was influenced by proximity to the U.S. and its differing regulatory landscape.
- Professional elites played a role in supporting or opposing regulations.
- Tensions between federal and provincial jurisdictions impacted the Act's development.
Conclusions:
- The AHR Act's creation illustrates the complex interplay of internal and external pressures in policy-making.
- Understanding these influences is crucial for navigating future reproductive technology legislation.
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