The (Re) Production of the Genetically Related Body in Law, Technology and Culture: Mitochondria Replacement Therapy

Abstract

Advances in medicine in the latter half of the twentieth century have dramatically altered human bodies, expanding choices around what we do with them and how they connect to other bodies. Nowhere is this more so than in the area of reproductive technologies (RTs). Reproductive medicine and the laws surrounding it in the UK have reconfigured traditional boundaries surrounding parenthood and the family. Yet culture and regulation surrounding RTs have combined to try to ensure that while traditional boundaries may be pushed, they are reconstructed in similar ways. This paper looks at the most recent RT to be permitted in the UK, mitochondria (mtDNA) replacement therapy (MRT). Despite controversial media headlines surrounding the technique, MRT is in fact an example of how science and regulation seek to expand models of traditional relatedness in a way that doesn’t challenge the existing order. Yet, like other RTs, while attempts are made to ensure it doesn’t push traditional boundaries too far, fissures and inconsistencies appear in law and culture, which give interesting insights into how genetics, parentage and identity are being mediated in new but familiar ways.

Gestation, equality and freedom: ectogenesis as a political perspective

“…However, one issue must be noted. Other assisted reproductive technologies have created new family structures and new ways of interpreting social and biological ties,42 but have also reinforced dominant and widespread beliefs on the importance of the ‘genetic tie’43 and failed to challenge ‘the existing order’ 44. They are:…”

Lesbian motherhood and mitochondrial replacement techniques: reproductive freedom and genetic kinship

“…The possible use of MRTs as a reproductive option by lesbian couples has already been mentioned in the bioethics literature by the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, Françoise Baylis, Palacios et al , Rebecca Dimond, Ishii and Segers et al 18 49–54. Furthermore, from a legal point of view, Danielle Griffiths has explored how UK regulations on MRTs reproduces the heteronormative genetic family 55…”

Special Issue of Health Care Analysis: Translational Bodies—Ethical Aspects of Uses of Human Biomaterials

“…So the law may redefine or simply reinforce perceptions of the significance of genetic relatedness in families where it applies to mitochondrial replacement therapy [3] or it may alter attitudes towards genetic 'harm' when conceiving a child [5].…”

“…In some of the papers we can see technology become a powerful driver of law and policy and of change to social relationships, but we also learn to question the extent to which the existing order is reproduced [3], whether established priorities ought to change [2], and whether existing legal and regulatory structures are capable of adapting to scientific advances without creating significant gaps, tensions and fragmentation [3,5,7].…”

“…We are led to ask, to what extent should the law seek to control reproductive choices (and their outcomes)? [3,5] Does control by others of 'our' biomaterial necessarily create vulnerability and powerlessness? [2,4,6] What forms of control over human biomaterials are suited to meeting public health goals?…”