Property in the potential person: is ownership a suitable model for reproduction? (360G-Wellcome-080529_Z_06_Z)

PROPERTY, PERSONHOOD AND REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGIES This is an interdisciplinary investigation into the liberal concept of property in the person and its applications to reproductive technologies. The central research question is: can the liberal concept of property in the person be adapted or extended to cope with the dispersion of body parts inherent in gamete donation, surrogacy, the freezing and storage of embryos, etc? If not, what should replace it? Year one will focus on the political philosophy of contract theory and property in the person, extending my understanding of the theories, and applying them to reproductive technologies. As ova and embryos become separated from the body, and hence physically alienated from it, there is a potential for them to become commodified. How widespread is this, does it change our perceptions of pregnancy and childbirth, and if so, is this a problem? In year two I will seek to apply some of the ethical issues identified in year one to the clinical application of reproductive technologies. When conflict arises over a particular application of procedures, is property in the person a useful concept in resolving them? In year three I will draw together theoretical and practical considerations to seek an answer to my research question.