Decline in ethical concerns about reproductive technologies among a representative sample of US women. (October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Greil, Arthur L.; Slauson-Blevins, Kathleen S.; Shreffler, Karina M.; Johnson, Katherine M.; Lowry, Michelle H.; Burch, Andrea R.; McQuillan, Julia
• Is Part Of: Public understanding of science. Volume 26:Number 7(2017)
• Page Start: 789
• Page End: 805
• Publication Date: 2017-10
• Subjects: biotechnology -- ethics -- genetic and reproductive technologies; Science news -- Periodicals; Science -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; 303.483
• DOI: 10.1177/0963662515625402
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0963-6625

Abstract

Public awareness and utilization of assisted reproductive technology has been increasing, but little is known about changes in ethical concerns over time. The National Survey of Fertility Barriers, a national, probability-based sample of US women, asked 2031 women the same set of questions about ethical concerns regarding six reproductive technologies on two separate occasions approximately 3 years apart. At Wave 1 (2004–2007), women had more concerns about treatments entailing the involvement of a third party than about treatments that did not. Ethical concerns declined between Wave 1 and Wave 2, but they declined faster for treatments entailing the involvement of a third party. Ethical concerns declined faster for women with greater levels of concern at Wave 1. Initial ethical concerns were higher, and there was less of a decline in ethical concerns for women with higher initial levels of religiosity.