Frozen future – ethical questions of social egg freezing

Gusztáv Kovács

Theological College of Pécs

Abstract

This paper aims at making a critical judgment about the practice of social egg freezing. Most papers on the ethical issues of oocyte cryopreservation for non-medical reasons seem to welcome the wide range application of the new fast freezing technology. This paper aims to challenge some of the assumptions used to justify this new practice. It does so by viewing partnership and parenthood in terms of individual biographies which need careful planning in our modern risk societies.
Papers in favour of social egg freezing argue that it could serve as a tool to expand reproductive autonomy of women, and also as a means promoting gender equality. They also reason that it promoted a responsible planning of biographies, since it enabled women to postpone important decisions concerning reproductive issues or partnership. As a response I will try to show the inadequateness of these arguments by analysing the logic behind social egg freezing, and also the desires and misconceptions the method is associated with.

Keywords:

social egg freezing, oocyte cryopreservation, ethical questions of assisted reproductive technologies, in vitro fertilization, family planning, child-bearing, responsible parenthood