

Where Should Babies Come From? | Matthew Lee Anderson
May 13, 2024
In this thought-provoking conversation, Matthew Lee Anderson, an assistant research professor of ethics and theology, introduces Oliver O'Donovan's profound critique of reproductive technologies. They explore the ethical implications of being 'begotten' versus 'made' through modern science. Anderson highlights historical perspectives on bioethics, emphasizing the need for moral reflection amidst rapid advancements. The discussion also addresses the challenge of balancing compassion with ethical considerations in reproductive medicine and questions the limits of human control over nature.
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Begotten or Made: Fundamental Question
- The conflict at the heart of begotten versus made frames how we view reproduction and human nature.
- This question probes whether life is a natural gift or a technological product shaped by human will.
O'Donovan's Bioethical Challenge
- Oliver O'Donovan connects in vitro fertilization's rise to deeper moral and theological concerns.
- He challenges society to reconsider how technology reshapes human identity and the meaning of life.
Begotten Equals Nature and Equality
- The distinction between 'begotten' and 'made' relates to equality and nature between parents and children.
- O'Donovan uses this to critique modern reproductive technology's detachment from natural origins.