Initial Post: This Discussion has 2 parts.
Part 1: Consider the material on teratogens presented in Chapter 4’s textbook and lecture. Consider you’re own lifestyle and environment could affect prenatal development. What would you ideally need to change to ready yourself for carrying a child or before providing sperm for conception? You do not have to overshare sensitive/private information. Feel free to use an “t” instead of listing a specific teratogen for privacy- like, “I would need to stop doing T a few months before having unprotected sex. I should also get tested for T.” If you are not comfortable talking about your own life, present the case of a fictious, average person and what they should change before getting pregnant or impregnating someone.
Part 2: Review the section on “Fetal Welfare versus Mothers’ Rights” on page 106. Think about if parents should be held accountable for exposing an embryo/fetus to teratogens. First think of cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine. Now think about alcohol and cigarettes. Now think about X-rays and aspirin. How about living near a toxic factory or an agricultural field with pesticide run-off. Think about doctors prescribing medications to pregnant women.
Answer some of these: Should mothers be punished for exposing their fetus to teratogens? Does your answer depend on the type of teratogen? Where would we draw the line if society intervened? How would this be enforced? In the past, many would have said that it was the mother’s body and her choice what she puts into it. Current politics are shifting to the rights of the unborn over the rights of the mother. Do the current changes in abortion laws change the idea of charging women with violating fetal rights? What might the future hold?