Navigating ethical dilemmas in reproductive tech

Navigating ethical dilemmas in reproductive tech

Navigating ethical dilemmas in reproductive tech
Artificial womb illustration by Shutterstock
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In the bustling city of Techville, where neon lights flicker with binary code and robots hum lullabies, a new spectacle has rolled into town, promising to be the talk of the century. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to “The Great AI Ethical Circus.”

Today’s performance? The enthralling debate on artificial intelligence, ethics and the peculiar case of human reproduction bias, all seen through the lens of the dystopian dramedy, “The Pod Generation.”

Ah, Techville — a city where your barista might be a bit too literal when you ask for “strong coffee” and your self-driving car might occasionally detour to show you the scenic route, purely out of affection. This is the backdrop against which our drama unfolds.

Act I: The All-Knowing Pod

Imagine a world where the miracle of childbirth is no longer bound by biology. Enter “The Pod Generation,” a film worth watching, where artificial wombs (or pods) can be rented, allowing parents to continue their busy lives while their offspring gestate in sleek, transparent orbs. As if we did not already have enough to juggle with our Roombas and their spontaneous cleaning sprees.

On the surface, this seems like the epitome of convenience. No more morning sickness, no stretch marks and no labor pains. Just a quick swipe of the credit card and, nine months later, voila. Your baby is ready to pick up. But beneath this shiny veneer lies a nest of ethical conundrums, as tangled as a poorly coded algorithm.

The Pros: Efficiency and Equality

In Techville, where time is as precious as the latest smartphone model, the pod system promises unparalleled efficiency. Imagine balancing a high-powered career with family life, free from the physical constraints of pregnancy. Women can shatter the glass ceiling without worrying about their biological clocks ticking away. The playing field, it seems, is leveled.

From an ethical standpoint, the pods could democratize reproduction. Individuals with infertility issues or those with health risks can now experience the joys of parenthood without the barriers posed by traditional gestation. In a world obsessed with equality and inclusivity, this seems like a step in the right direction.

The Cons: Nature vs. Nurture

But hold your applause, dear audience. The plot thickens. The pods, much like any AI, are only as good as their programming — and therein lies the rub. AI, for all its promise, is not immune to bias. Reproductive technologies, influenced by the data and preferences they are fed, could inadvertently perpetuate societal biases.

Take, for example, the algorithms determining the optimal genetic traits. Who decides what is “optimal?” Do we risk sliding down the slippery slope of eugenics, crafting a generation of designer babies based on superficial ideals? Philosopher John Stuart Mill once warned: “Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing.” If we are not vigilant, our silent acquiescence could lead us down a dark path.

Reproductive technologies, influenced by the data and preferences they are fed, could inadvertently perpetuate societal biases.

Rafael Hernandez de Santiago

Reproduction Bias: The Elephant in the Room

Let us address the elephant in the room — reproduction bias. AI systems trained on historical data often inherit the prejudices embedded within that data. In Techville, a city that prides itself on technological prowess, the repercussions of such biases are especially concerning.

Imagine a pod system that, based on skewed data, favors certain genetic traits over others. This could exacerbate existing social inequalities, creating a society where diversity is sacrificed at the altar of artificial “perfection.” Philosopher Immanuel Kant reminded us: “Act in such a way that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of another, always at the same time as an end, never merely as a means.” In our quest for convenience, are we at risk of treating human life as a mere product?

Act II: The Human Touch

Despite the marvels of AI, there is an irreplaceable value in the human touch. Pregnancy, with all its trials and tribulations, fosters a unique bond between mother and child. It is a connection that no sterile pod, however advanced, can replicate. Aristotle wisely noted: “The aim of the wise is not to secure pleasure, but to avoid pain.” Perhaps it is through these natural processes, painful as they may be, that the essence of humanity is truly preserved.

The Curtain Call: A Balancing Act

As the curtain falls on our ethical circus, it becomes clear that the integration of AI into human reproduction is a balancing act, teetering between the utopian and the dystopian. In Techville, where technology and humanity dance a delicate waltz, the key lies in vigilance, empathy and ethical foresight.

The future, much like the latest tech gadget, is full of promise and peril. It is up to us, the citizens of Techville, to navigate this brave new world with wisdom and caution. For, as philosopher Soren Kierkegaard aptly put it: “Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” Let us hope that in our forward march, we do not lose sight of the humanity that makes life worth living.

And so, dear readers, as you sip your AI-brewed coffee and contemplate the marvels of “The Pod Generation,” remember: In the grand circus of AI ethics, we are all both the ringmasters and the clowns. Choose your role wisely.

Rafael Hernandez de Santiago, viscount of Espes, is a Spanish national residing in Saudi Arabia and working at the Gulf Research Center.

 

Disclaimer: Views expressed by writers in this section are their own and do not necessarily reflect Arab News' point of view

Air defense units trying to repel Russian air attack on Kyiv, mayor says

Air defense units trying to repel Russian air attack on Kyiv, mayor says
Updated 27 sec ago
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Air defense units trying to repel Russian air attack on Kyiv, mayor says

Air defense units trying to repel Russian air attack on Kyiv, mayor says

Ukraine’s air defense units were trying to repel a Russian air attack on Kyiv late on Saturday, Kyiv’s Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on his Telegram messaging channel.
“There was an explosion in the suburbs of Kyiv,” Klitschko said. “Air defense forces operating in the capital and its region. Stay in shelters!”


The wheel of time: Jazan’s vibrant pottery reflects heritage

The wheel of time: Jazan’s vibrant pottery reflects heritage
Updated 02 November 2024
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The wheel of time: Jazan’s vibrant pottery reflects heritage

The wheel of time: Jazan’s vibrant pottery reflects heritage
  • Pottery in Jazan is a lasting symbol of authenticity and belonging through the efforts of artisans and enthusiasts

RIYADH: In Saudi Arabia’s Jazan region, pottery is not just a craft but also among the oldest heritage crafts embodying the region’s cultural identity. Its creative legacy echoes locals’ dedication to preserving the traditions of their ancestors.

Over the years, the people of Jazan learned to transform clay into durable and functional tools and utensils. These handcrafted items reflect the beauty of Jazan’s nature and the depth of its heritage — a historic art form that strengthens the relationship between locals and land.

Jazan’s artisans have mastered the art of pottery, molding the clay extracted from dry valleys known as “valley clay.” The clay is carefully collected, purified and kneaded to become soft and moldable, Saudi Press Agency reported recently.

Simple tools are used in molding clay items before leaving them to dry under the sun for several days. The plates are later placed in traditional kilns at high temperatures to become durable and solid to withstand high temperatures and daily use.

Among the pieces created are cooking pots, cups and utensils that continue to be valuable and are used to cook and serve traditional dishes. 

Cooking in clay pots is part of experiencing the region’s heritage and brings with it the warmth of the past. The slow and even distribution of heat makes enhances the dishes that are cooked in it, such as madhbi and mandi.

Despite the emergence of modern household appliances, clay pots for cooking and serving food are still widely popular in Jazan and beyond. 

However, SPA’s report noted that although pottery is an appreciated part of heritage in Jazan, it is facing several challenges, including the lack of young Saudi craftsmen and the lack of natural clay resources.

This has compelled local authorities to intensify efforts to support the craft of pottery, such as organizing training courses that enable youths to acquire the skills for carrying the legacy of this tradition into the future.

Local festivals are also being organized to introduce visitors to the importance of pottery in the region’s heritage and its role in the Saudi culture, SPA reported. 

Pottery in Jazan is a lasting symbol of authenticity and belonging through the efforts of artisans and enthusiasts. It combines locals’ love for land and nature and represents a significant aspect of the region’s cultural identity.


Egypt hosts Fatah-Hamas post-war Gaza talks as part of ceasefire efforts

Egypt hosts Fatah-Hamas post-war Gaza talks as part of ceasefire efforts
Updated 02 November 2024
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Egypt hosts Fatah-Hamas post-war Gaza talks as part of ceasefire efforts

Egypt hosts Fatah-Hamas post-war Gaza talks as part of ceasefire efforts
  • Hamas is pressing for an end to hostilities
  • Israel rejects any role by Hamas in Gaza after the war is ended

CAIRO: Senior officials of the rival Palestinian groups Fatah and Hamas are meeting in Cairo to discuss forming a committee to manage Gaza’s post-war governance, an Egyptian security source was quoted as saying by Egypt’s Al-Qahera News TV on Saturday.
The talks are part of Egypt’s broader mediation efforts to broker a ceasefire between Israel and militant group Hamas and to expand humanitarian access to the enclave.
Leaders from Hamas and the Fatah faction of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met in Cairo last month to discuss forming the committee based on a proposal put forward by Egypt, but talks were adjourned for later discussion, sources close to the talks told Reuters.
The sources said the committee would be made up of independent Palestinian figures not aligned to a particular movement, addressing the question of who would run Gaza after the year-long war is over.
Israel rejects any role by Hamas in Gaza after the war is ended and has said it does not trust the rival Palestinian Authority of Abbas to run the enclave.
Mediators, including Egypt and Qatar with backing from the United States, have so far failed to secure a truce that would end the Gaza war and facilitate a release of Israeli and foreign hostages held by Hamas, along with thousands of Palestinians detained by Israel.
Hamas is pressing for an end to hostilities while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that the war will continue until Hamas is dismantled.
Hamas political official Izzat Al-Risheq dismissed proposals of limited or temporary truces as “smokescreens.”
“We are positively open to any proposals or ideas that ensure the cessation of aggression and the withdrawal of occupation forces from Gaza,” Al-Risheq said in a statement.
The conflict continues to exact a heavy humanitarian toll, with medics reporting that five Palestinians were killed in an Israeli air strike on Gaza’s Bureij refugee camp on Saturday.
Palestinian health officials said at least 60 people had been killed by Israeli military strikes across Gaza Strip since Friday.
In the latest round of violence, Islamic Jihad, a Palestinian militant group allied with Hamas, said it launched rockets at Sderot, Mefalsim and other Israeli territory near the Gaza border late on Saturday.
The Israeli military said two projectiles crossed from northern Gaza, landing in an open area but caused no injuries.
The war erupted after Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages back to Gaza, according to Israeli tallies.
Israel’s retaliatory offensives have killed more than 43,000 Palestinians and reduced most of Gaza to rubble.


What We Are Reading Today: ‘The Power of Prions’ by Michel Brahic

What We Are Reading Today: ‘The Power of Prions’ by Michel Brahic
Updated 02 November 2024
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What We Are Reading Today: ‘The Power of Prions’ by Michel Brahic

What We Are Reading Today: ‘The Power of Prions’ by Michel Brahic

Over the last decade, scientists have discovered the importance and widespread presence in the body of a remarkable family of proteins known as prion proteins.

Research links various types of prion proteins to neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s—and this has fueled the search for new drugs that could halt the progression of these terrible disorders.

Other discoveries have revealed the essential roles prion proteins play in memory and immunity, and—in an extraordinary finding—the part they may have played in the beginnings of life on our planet.


Strike on Gaza polio vaccine center wounds four children: WHO

Strike on Gaza polio vaccine center wounds four children: WHO
Updated 02 November 2024
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Strike on Gaza polio vaccine center wounds four children: WHO

Strike on Gaza polio vaccine center wounds four children: WHO
  • Organization launched second round of child polio vaccinations in northern Gaza on Saturday

GENEVA: The World Health Organization (WHO) said six people including four children were hurt Saturday in a strike on a polio vaccination center in northern Gaza.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said in a message on X, that the UN agency had received “an extremely concerning report” that the center “was struck today while parents were bringing their children to the life-saving polio vaccination” drive.
Without naming who carried out the strike, he said the Sheikh Radwan primary health care center was “in an area where a humanitarian pause was agreed to allow vaccination to proceed.”
“Six people, including four children, were injured,” he added.
The Israeli military has been pounding northern Gaza in recent weeks as part of its campaign to crush the Hamas militant movement in retaliation for the militants’ attacks against Israel on October 7, 2023.
The WHO launched a needed second round of child polio vaccinations in northern Gaza on Saturday after Israeli bombing halted the drive.
The vaccination drive began on September 1 with a successful first round, after the besieged Palestinian territory confirmed its first case of polio in 25 years.
“A WHO team was at the site just before” Saturday’s strike, Ghebreyesus said.
“This attack, during humanitarian pause, jeopardizes the sanctity of health protection for children and may deter parents from bringing their children for vaccination,” he added.
“These vital humanitarian-area-specific pauses must be absolutely respected,” he said, calling for a ceasefire in the territory.
The WHO says some 119,000 children in the north are awaiting a second dose, while 452,000 have been vaccinated in central and southern Gaza.
Typically spread through sewage and contaminated water, poliovirus is highly infectious.
It can cause deformities and paralysis, and is potentially fatal, mainly affecting children under the age of five.
Hamas’s 2023 attack resulted in the deaths of 1,206 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.
Israel’s retaliatory military campaign has killed 43,314 people in Gaza, most of them civilians, according to figures from the Hamas-run territory’s health ministry which the UN considers reliable.