Session: Ethical Issues in Reproductive and Fertility Care
The language of reproduction: Analyzing the underlying values and societal shifts
Saturday, October 14, 2023
1:15 PM – 2:30 PM ET
Location: Dover C (Third Floor)
Language and specific word choices express ethical commitments alongside descriptive information and are therefore constantly evolving with social progress. This is true even for ostensibly “objective” medical language. Given the changing cultural norms regarding gender as well as the rapid erosion of reproductive rights, it is imperative for reproductive health related medical societies and academic journals to codify language expectations that align with professional ethical commitments, societal progress, and scientific understandings. Yet, after evaluating the top ten international obstetrics and gynecology journals, we found few medical professional societies with established language guidelines. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) is a notable exception. In this presentation, we draw upon the ACOG guidelines to expose the cultural trends that both engender and necessitate specific language changes (e.g. use of gender neutral language to describe pregnant people to acknowledge trans and nonbinary individuals, avoidance of terminology like “elective” abortion in light of movements to overtly recognize that abortion is healthcare). We also highlight some areas where further guidance is warranted (e.g. how to discuss the products of conception or fetal remains in a way that is sensitive yet not emotive). We discuss the ethics of language in medicine and especially reproductive health, how word choice shapes academic and public discussion, what obligations professional bodies may have to direct these discussions, and objections to prescriptive language use. We encourage participation from the audience regarding language changes we may have overlooked.
Marissa Nicolas-Cagigal – MS1, School of Medicine, Univerity of Texas Medical Branch; Lisa Campo-Engelstein, PhD – Professor and Chair, Bioethics & Health Humanities, University of Texas Medical Branch; Emma Tumilty, PhD – Assistant Professor, Bioethics & Health Humanities, University of Texas Medical Branch