Fertility
Essay Question 8

Posted for the week of May 28, 2000. Attach your word processor (Word or WordPerfect) responses (a least two pages) to an e-mail note to your teaching assistant. DO NOT simply type your responses into the body of an e-mail sender. The formatting will be lost. Pay attention to organization and grammar as you put together your responses. Your written response is due no later than 3:00 on Tuesday, June 6.

Several of you expressed an interest in in vitro fertilization, both from its technology and from its sociological impact. This will not necessarily be an "easy" topic to search on the web. Most of the sites you find will be commercial fertility clinics. Some are quite reputable; others are probably questionable. I'd like you to explain just what in vitro fertilization is and discuss its sociological implications for society at large. Should Congress ban such procedures? What about becoming a mother at age 55?

You may search the Internet for information but will probably need to visit the library. You should provide me the basis for your answers (a journal article; a web URL; a book; a popular news magazine article). You SHOULD include your own particular views on the matter, but please reflect on this topic a bit before you "put fingers to the keyboard." Useful metasearch engines on the web are, as always:

http://www.dogpile.com/
http://www.northernlight.com/

In the library, consult the General Science Index or ask a librarian for help.

You can return to the Syllabus Page if you wish.