A child born with ambivalent genitalia are typically given surgery and assigned one particular gender. the intention is to save “the child from future mental suffering” . Why is it that there are two genders when there are children born of both gender? Why is alteration of the child the only solution? Feminist have one answer to this question. Biomedical ethics emphasize universal principles that tend to disregard particulars, especially in regards to gender, that are at all times morally relevant. The implications on women emerged most prominently with medicalization . From providing an embryo with choice to carelessly selecting the gender of a child born of both genders, biomedical ethics has a tendency to overlook not only the life and rights of a woman but also her dignity. This is not a new practice as gender inequality has been in America since its inception.
A remarkable example of the gender inequality existing is bioethics can be seen through the way in which the embryo has been treated. Prior to doctors and scientists being able to visualize the embryo, this part of the female body was private. Once ultrasound and amniotic punctures were introduced, the female body was no longer private. Scientists not only wanted to ensure the care and health of the mother and embryo but also extended interest in the nature of embryo or the termination of the embryo. This interest and degradation of the female as no more than a birthing machine has degraded the life of the woman to the point where male researchers view women as objects and not humans .
The role of gender has placed many limits on women as well. Women are often put into certain roles due to their gender and judged based upon pre-imposed limitations. This is very evident in our society. There has never been a woman president in the United States. Women make up fifty percent of the workforce but less than forty percent of the manager in the work force. Women are viewed based on being a woman rather than individual unique qualities. Instead of being viewed as equal to men, women are viewed as supporters. Also, this viewpoint also disregards individuals who may not clearly correspond into one gender or the other.
Individuals who do not identify with the gender they were born with are transgender. Transgender individuals have similar experiences as women because of the assignment of gender roles. Limitations and judgments based on gender as well as inequality, discrimination and prejudice are daily struggles. Bioethics support these experiences for transgender individuals because of the belief that there are only two genders and because their belief in universal principles that ignore individuality. So long as this continues, feminists will have a podium to stand upon with regard to gender roles.
The social effects of biomedical research and the consequences on the lives of any person not of the dominant male gender are the issues presented in feminist’s bioethics. Gender roles are assigned. Eliminating this theory and thought has always been a task taken up by feminists. The assignment of a particular gender, although not a new phenomenon, is more talked about in today’s society is another issue that arises when rules and theories are rigid and universal. Bioethics and medicalization are signs of growing technology. Without advances in thought and more flexibility and regard for individualism, it is possible that bioethics could create further gender inequality rather than promote equality among genders.
Works Cited
Donchin, Anne. Feminist Bioethics. 16 December 2016.
Duwell, Marcus. Bioethics: Methods, Theories, Domains. Routledge, n.d. Print.
Ferro, Laura. Gender Inequality in the U.S. Today: Part 2. 27 March 2012. <http://www.trustwomenpac.org/2012/03/gender-inequality-in-the-u-s-today-part-2/>.
