Attitudes towards reproduction in Latin America. Teachings from the use ofmodern reproductive technologies

The use of modern reproductive technology, such as in-vitro fertilization a nd its related procedures, has opened new areas of legal, religious and pub lic concern. Thirty years ago, the development of effective methods to cont rol procreation generated a debate on whether couples had the right to enjo y sex in the absence of its procreative effect. Today( assisted reproductiv e technology (ART) allows couples to have their own children in the absence of a direct intermediation of sex. The Catholic Church has reacted against both contraception and ART, and specific instructions have been directed t o the public, the medical profession and legislators. In a recent survey, 8 8.4 % of the population in Latin America claims to be Catholic; therefore, bioethical considerations and legal implications concerning intervention in reproduction are strongly permeated by the moral teachings of Catholicism In 1996, 83 medical doctors and scientists, participating in the Latin Amer ican Network of Assisted Reproduction, produced a consensus document on eth ical aspects and legal implications of ART. The document contains minimal e thical guidelines that Latin American professionals have decided to adhere to, even in the absence of legal regulations. This article examines how the medical profession, legislators and the public react to religious influenc e when confronted by difficult bioethical decisions such as the right to pr ocreate.