Dr Mianna Lotz1
1Department Of Philosophy, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia, 2Macquarie University Ethics and Agency Research Centre, Sydney, Australia
Biography:
Dr Mianna Lotz is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Macquarie University, Sydney, specialising in ethics and applied ethics with a research focus on emerging reproductive and genetic technologies, surgical innovation, research ethics, family ethics, adoption, and the welfare and entitlements of children and parents. Her research is published in various leading journals and books and her most recent co-authored book is 'Philosophies of Adoption: Reflections and Perspectives' (Rowman and Littlefield, 2024). She provides ethics and research ethics teaching and consultancy inside and outside academia and is a member of various international advisory groups and ethics committees.
Abstract:
Like many other countries, Australia appears to be experiencing a slowdown in birth rates, with increased media reports of young people expressing disinclination towards having children of their own. At the same time, high demand is recorded for access to the most novel form of assisted reproduction – uterus transplantation – and IVF provision continues to increase amongst older women, in particular. In addition, a recent study of young people reveals a high rate of positivity towards adoption as an alternative parenthood modality, as compared with uterus transplantation and surrogacy.
This mixed picture of reproductive attitudes and aspirations invites closer reflection and analysis. Drawing on results from a study of 100 young Australians aged 18-34 years, this presentation highlights interesting and in some senses seemingly paradoxical findings in relation to the reproductive aspirations and attitudes of young people, and reflects on indications that a concern for reproductive rights and autonomy may be less prominent than might be expected, in guiding the current attitudes of young people towards assisted reproduction and family-making.