The aim of the thesis is twofold: the first aim is to identify a number of reproductive logics that are used to construct Swedish regulation of embryo donation for reproductive use as either ethical or unethical in the governmental – and medical discussions – and to examine how these logics are interconnected with notions of gender and parenthood. The second aim is to identify a number of tensions that arise in the application of the governmental ethical logic on the embryo and embryo donation and discuss how these tensions can be solved with a feminist material approach. I argue that the terminology used to distinguish between genetic, biological, social and legal parenthood in my material is insufficient for understanding the value of the embryo outside its pre-human status. I therefore argue for an embryonic feminist bioethics that is attentive to the embryos post-human status, and for a reformulation of the parenthood terminology in line with what I call „reproductive ties‟.

This thesis advances a feminist critique of Canadian legal responses to disputes over frozen in vitro embryos and embryo donor anonymity. It argues that current laws that provide spouses or partners with joint control over the use and disposition of embryos created from their genetic materials, that mandate the creation of agreements setting out these parties intentions in the event of a disagreement or divorce and that protect donor anonymity without providing mechanisms to allow donors, recipients and donor offspring to voluntarily exchange information do not adequately account for the lived experiences of women who undergo in vitro fertilization treatment or who serve as embryo donors. This thesis provides recommendations for how Canadian laws and policies might better support the express objectives and intentions of Canadian federal and provincial statutes to protect the rights, interests and health of women who seek to build their families through assisted reproductive technologies.

Submitted by CYNTHIA SILVA MACHADO null (cynthiasilvamachado@yahoo.com.br) on 2017-01-18T16:25:04Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação.pdf: 7423563 bytes, checksum: d27a59d743d83cca3d9c07d0ab6b69fd (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by LUIZA DE MENEZES ROMANETTO (luizamenezes@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2017-01-20T18:42:57Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 machado_cs_me_fran.pdf: 7423563 bytes, checksum: d27a59d743d83cca3d9c07d0ab6b69fd (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-01-20T18:42:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 machado_cs_me_fran.pdf: 7423563 bytes, checksum: d27a59d743d83cca3d9c07d0ab6b69fd (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-09-28 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / A ideia que versa essa dissertação é do esplêndido que a Reprodução Humana Assistida (RHA), traz a possibilidade de fazer um filho em um casal isento de fertilidade. Diante do que se percebe em termos de avanços da tecnociência do crescente número de casais em situação de infertilidade o foco desta pesquisa é a Doação de embriões criopreservados. Mormente existam em outros países leis específicas que regulem a RHA, o Brasil dispõe apenas de uma Lei da engenharia genética - Lei de Biossegurança, n. 11.105, 24/03/2005, o que faz com que profissionais da área se deparem com diversos desafios éticos. Há de se ressaltar, que polêmicas quanto à valoração do embrião em toda a sociedade brasileira permeiam está seara, mais especificamente, a questão da pesquisa com célulastronco embrionárias. É ainda ressaltante dizer da escassez de pesquisas e publicações nesta área, em especial, no que diz respeito às implicações emocionais da Doação de embriões. Para tanto, os objetivos desta pesquisa perfazem a compreensão dos aspectos bioéticos envolvidos na problemática da Reprodução Humana Assistida, bem como o estudo dos aspectos éticos vividos pela Equipe Técnico-administrativa de uma Clínica de Reprodução Humana do Estado de São Paulo, responsável pelo tratamento de Reprodução Humana Assistida de casais que tiveram embriões excedentários após serem submetidos ao tratamento de Fertilização in vitro e a reflexão sobre a dimensão subjetiva vivida pela Equipe Técnico-administrativa de uma Clínica de Reprodução Humana do Estado de São Paulo, responsável pelo tratamento de Reprodução Humana Assistida de casais que tiveram embriões excedentários após serem submetidos ao tratamento de Fertilização in vitro. Sendo a metodologia utilizada neste estudo a abordagem qualitativa, descritiva, bibliográfica, documental, exploratória e de campo, tendo como método o hermenêutico-dialético e a pesquisa de campo com a Equipe Técnico-administrativa da Clínica supracitada. Ao que se chega ao final deste estudo nada mais são que (in)conclusões, pois por certo muitos questionamentos éticos se abrem ao se desvelar o universo pesquisado: a Doação de embriões. O vínculo estabelecido ente o casal com os embriões excedentes criopreservados permeia o processo de decisão do casal quanto ao destino destes, marcado por incertezas, temores e sentimentos de solidariedade, aliado a isto está o fato de que a contemporaneidade representa um modo de viver em que a fluidez de valores é ressaltada, a fragilidade e transitoriedade dos laços afetivos são preponderantes. É forçoso ainda dizer que a importância do pensamento foi apreciada durante todo o percurso e no desfecho deste estudo optou-se por enfatizar quão poderoso ele é. Haja vista que as proposições ou sugestões vislumbram, antes de mais nada, “o Pensar” no sentido da elaboração como saída para quem vivencia a angústia da tomada de Decisão do que fazer com os seus embriões. / The idea that discusses dissertation is from the splendid which the Assisted Human Reproduction (AHR) brings: the possibility of a child in free couple fertility. Given what is perceived in terms of advances of techno science of the growing number of couples in infertility situation, the focus of this research is the cry preserved embryo donation. Especially exist in other countries, specific laws that govern the RHA, Brazil has only a law of genetic engineering - Insecurity Law, n.11.105, 24/03/2005 - with the result that health professionals are experiencing with several ethical challenges. It is noteworthy that controversies regarding the valuation of the embryo in Brazilian society permeate this harvest, more specifically the issue of research with embryonic stem cells. It is also remarking to say the lack of research and publications in this area, particularly with regard to the emotional implications of the donation of embryos. Therefore, the objectives of this research account for the understanding of bioethical issues involved in the issue of Assisted Human Reproduction, and the study of ethical issues experienced by Technical and Administrative Team of a Human Reproduction Clinic of São Paulo, responsible for handling Assisted Human reproduction of couples who have surplus embryos after being subjected to the treatment of in vitro fertilization and reflection on the subjective dimension lived by Technical and Administrative Team of a Human reproduction Clinic of São Paulo, responsible for the treatment of Assisted Human Reproduction of couples who had surplus embryos after being subjected to the treatment of fertilization in vitro and reflection on the subjective dimension experienced by the Technical and Administrative Team of a clinic of Human Reproduction of São Paulo State, responsible for the treatment of Assisted Human Reproduction of couples who had surplus embryos after being subjected to the treatment of fertilization in vitro. Being the used methodology in this study, a qualitative approach, descriptive, bibliographic, documental, exploratory and field, having as a method the dialectic-hermeneutic and the field research had the medical staff of the aforementioned Clinic. Conclusions are the ending of this study because surely many ethical questions open to unfold the universe surveyed: the Donation of embryos. The established link between the couple with cry preserved surplus embryos permeates the couple's decision making about the fate of these, marked by uncertainties, fears and feelings of solidarity, coupled with this is the fact that the contemporary world is a way of life in which the fluidity values is emphasized, the fragility and transience of emotional ties are crucial. It must also say that the importance of the thought was appreciated throughout the course and the outcome of this study was chosen to emphasize how powerful it is. Considering that the propositions or suggestions in sight, before anything else, "the Thinking" in the sense of preparation as output for those who experience the anguish of the decision-making than doing with their embryos. / CAPES: 1530079

Background: Involuntary childlessness and infertility affect a large group of people and WHO calls it a global public health issue. Donated gametes can be used when a pregnancy is not achieved. Embryo donation involves the full genetic material of the donating couple and embryo donation for reproductive purposes are often associated with many emotional, ethical, legal and psychosocial aspects. Aim: The aim of the study was to examine views on embryo donation for reproductive purposes among couples with experience of cryopreserved embryos. Methods: A literature review was conducted in order to answer the aim. Two databases (PubMed and Web of Science) were used to identify relevant qualitative literature. A smaller search on Google Scholar was also included. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were pre-determined in order to limit which studies to include. Results: A total of 20 studies were included in the results. The results show that there are different views towards the status of the human embryo, views towards the genetic link, information sharing and screening, views towards the selection of recipients, views towards the contact and relationship between donors, recipients and offspring, and views towards the decision-making and whether to donate surplus embryos or not. Conclusion: The multiple understandings of the status of the human embryo emphasizes the complex nature of human embryos and may explain couples’ views on embryo donation for reproductive purposes. It has also the potential to explain what couples decide to do with their surplus embryos. The interests of the receiving couple, the donors, the future child, and the society should continuously be assessed and balanced when society regulates ART and embryo donation. / Bakgrund: Ofrivillig barnlöshet och infertilitet påverkar många människor och WHO kallar det ett globalt folkhälsoproblem. Donerade könsceller kan användas när en graviditet inte kan uppnås. Vid embryodonation innebär det att det donerande paret har full genetisk koppling till embryot och embryodonation för reproduktiva syften associeras ofta med många emotionella, etiska, rättsliga och psykosociala aspekter. Syfte: Syftet med studien var att undersöka synen på embryodonation för reproduktiva ändamål hos par med erfarenhet av frysförvarade embryon. Metod: En allmän litteraturstudie genomfördes för att besvara syftet. Två databaser (PubMed och Web of Science) användes för att identifiera relevanta kvalitativa studier. En mindre sökning utfördes även i Google Scholar. Inklusions- och exklusionskriterier bestämdes i förväg för att begränsa vilka studier som skulle ingå. Resultat: Totalt inkluderades 20 artiklar i resultatet. Resultatet visar att det finns olika uppfattningar om det mänskliga embryots status, om den genetiska kopplingen, informationsutbyte och screening, om synen på kontakt och relationen mellan donatorer, mottagare och avkomma samt synen på beslutsfattandet och om överskott av embryon ska doneras eller inte. Slutsats: De många uppfattningarna om det mänskliga embryots status betonar den komplexa karaktären hos det mänskliga embryot och kan förklara parens syn på embryodonation för reproduktiva ändamål. Det har också potential att förklara vad par väljer att göra med sina överskott av embryon. Det mottagande parets, donatorernas, det framtida barnets och samhällets intressen bör kontinuerligt bedömas och balanseras när samhället reglerar ART och embryodonation.