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One of the biggest differences between humans and animals is that human beings are rational thinkers, unlike animals. Even when it comes to something as basic as reproduction, humans rationalize and think, while animals participate in these activities instinctively. This is something that sets humans apart. At the same time, humans are scientific beings. We have science at our disposal and we use it in order to get the kind of reproductive results that we are looking for. The use of scientific technology in order to manipulate the results of reproduction is known as human reproductive technology.
The following are some of the results that are expected in the use of technology in human reproduction.
- Achieving fertilization when it is not naturally possible
- Achieving reproduction if the male or female is infertile
- Achieving embryonic growth when the mother’s womb is not able to do so naturally
- Cloning human beings
- Treatment for harmonic imbalances that might come in the way of natural reproduction
Let us take a look at some of the common methods under human reproductive technology that are being used by people today:-
Surrogacy
If the uterus of the female is not able to hold the embryo, then options such as surrogacy can be used. In this method, the embryo is implanted into the uterus of another healthier female who can carry the pregnancy. Though the biological mother would still be the one who was impregnated with the sperm, it will be the surrogate mother who will have to go through the process of pregnancy.
In Vitro Fertilization
The second commonest example of the use of human reproductive technology is that of in vitro fertilization. Here, the sperm of the male parent and the egg cell of the female parent are removed from their respective bodies and fertilized. Once the fertilization takes place, the embryo is implanted into the uterus of the biological mother from where it will have a normal successful pregnancy. This is a method of treating infertility in either the male or the female.
Artificial Insemination
The male sperm biologically enters the vaginal tract of the female during sexual intercourse, which gives birth to the baby. However, in some couples, this process does not happen. When this is the case, the method of artificial insemination is used. In this method, the sperm of the male is removed from his body and passed into the vagina of the female by artificial means. This makes the woman pregnant and the infertility can be treated.
Cloning
Cloning is the most recent kind of human reproductive technology in use today. This means producing a genetically identical individual from a living individual. Though cloning of various others lesser plants and animals has been accomplished, human cloning still remains quite primitive.
One of the aspects we need to talk about when discussing human reproductive technology is the morality aspect. There are a lot of people who think using any artificial methods for reproduction is like interfering with nature in its most extreme and they are against it. However, scientific progress goes on, irrespective of whether certain groups of people consider it moral or immoral.
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