Parthenogenesis: New Conflicts and Opportunities for Fecundity and Reproductive Freedom

Abstract

This Monograph examines, critically, a phenomenon of nature termed parthenogenesis, or asexual reproduction. The potential for adapting this occurrence to humans, especially transsexual women, is not only intriguing as a form of assisted reproductive technology, but holds great promise as a source for human embryo research and regenerative medicine. Parthenogenetic embryos would be derived from unfertilized human eggs and, thus, blunt – if not resolve – ethical concerns over experimentation of human embryos. These research embryos would, in turn, be a valuable source for producing stem cells which could then be used to facilitate growth of tissues for organ transplants. As a tool for expanding human fecundity, however, uses of this nature would be little more than a vainglorious and dangerous scientific achievement.