A CRITIQUE OF ASSISTED REPRODUCTION IN THE LIGHT OF ALDOUS HUXLEY

 

                                                                     ABSTRACT  

As in any other scientific field, we can speak of the advent of a new epoch in biomedical science and technology. The many novel advances which underlie our unfolding knowledge about man and reveal the possibilities of his reshaping his very nature can be studied only in the total context of new era into which humanity is now entering. Consequently there are emerging opinions that the life of man was at peace and orderly before the advent of the present age that would unseat the rational order and make its survival difficult. The emerging means and techniques in biomedicine and technology for reproducing human beings (rational beings) draw urgent attention. This issue attracts some questions:  Where can this innovation in reproduction lead; for or against humanity? Is this practice favorable to rational man? What would be the consequence on the society? Would this not lead to polarization of the society? Would this not lead to an altered identity as the result of technological determinism? Is this innovation not going to make man a slave to science and technology? What of the individual, will he still retain his ontological identity? In 1932, when Aldous Huxley , published his work “Brave New World,” he questions the unprecedented control of human reproduction. Hence, the ethics and the merits of the new techniques in the form of assisted reproduction is what the work of Aldous Huxley Questions. Therefore, it demands much attention. In this piece of work, I exposed the thoughts of Aldous Huxley concerning the use of technology to control reproduction while criticizing the practice.

TABLE OF CONTENTS  

Title Page…………………………………………………………………………………i 

Approval…….……………….……………………………………………………ii 

Certification………………...…………………………………………………….iii 

Dedication ……...…………………………………………………………………iv 

Acknowledgement………………………………………………………………..v 

Table of Content………………………………………………………………….vi 

Abstract………………………………………………………………………………………………………..ix   

CHAPTER ONE 

GENERAL INTRODUCTION 

1.0 Background of the Study ………………….…………………………………1 

1.1 Statement of the Problem……………………..………………………………4 

1.2 Purpose of the Study…………………………………………………………..5 

1.3 Scope of the Study………………………..……………………………………6 

1.4 Significance of the Study……………………..…………………………….....6 

1.5 Methodology of the Study…………………………...………………………..7 

1.6 Division of Work…………………………………………………….………………………………….7  

    

CHAPTER TWO  

LITERATURE REVIEW  

2.0 Some Thoughts on Human Reproduction…………………………..……….9 

2.1Plato……………………………………...……………………………………10 

2.2 J.A Robertson…………..…………………………………………………….11 

2.3 Leon Kass……………….……………………………………………………13 

2.4 Walgate  Robert……………………………...………………………………15 

2.5 Clowes Brian…………………………………………………………………16  

CHAPTER THREE 

3.0 Huxley’s Perspective of Manipulated Reproduction………………..…….20 

3.1 Brave New World Society………………………………………………...…24 

3.2 Technological Determinism……………………………………………...….27 

3.3 Individual in a Manipulated Reproduction……………………………….29 

3.4 Neo-Pavlovian Conditioning…………………………………………….…31 

3.5 Huxley’s Categorization of Human Beings……………………………….33 

3.6 Problem of Ideology………………………………………………….………34 

3.7 Utilitarian Happiness………………………………………..………………36      

CHAPTER FOUR  

4.0 Biological Science vs Human Society……………………………………….40 

4.1 Techniques of Manipulated Reproduction…………………………………41 

4.2 Babies in Bottle………………………………………………………………43 

4.3 Civilized and Natural Societies……………………………………………45 

4.4 Rationality of Science and Technology……………………………………48 

4.5 Limits of Science and Technology…………………………………………49 

4.6 Ends and Means…………………………………………………………….51   

CHAPTER FIVE 

Evaluation and Conclusion 

5.1 Evaluation…………………………….………………………………………….56 

5.2 Conclusion………………………………………………………………………60 

Bibliography…………………………………………………………………..….64