Abstract

New reproductive and genetic technologies in Canada, the void of regulation and policy, and the federal government's policy making attempts, to date, are the focus of this paper. The unencumbered growth of new reproductive and genetic technologies (NRGTs) are influenced by a technological imperative and our society's increasing reliance on the notion of reproductive rights. The unfettered use of the NRGTs may proffer a dystopian and eugenic future to society and to those affected, personally and financially, by the use of the technologies. Various stakeholders, including feminist organizations, the medical and scientific communities, and social policy advocates have been concerned with the lack of policy in the field, for well over ten years. To address the issue of NRGTs, the Canadian government established a Royal Commission (which reported in 1993), and has begun to institute a three part policy process that includes a voluntary moratorium on some of the morally and ethically controversial practices, the proposed prohibitive measures of Bill C-47, and a proposed regulatory framework. Throughout the policy development process the Canadian public and stakeholders, including those who have an interest in the future use of these technologies, have been consulted. Ten years into process, a synthesis of common views amongst previously divergent stakeholder groups now seems to be emerging. This paper reviews, analyses and examines the major issues of technological determinism and reproductive rights pertinent to the issue, in an effort to determine their effect on the development of the federal policy regarding new reproductive and genetic technologies.