Ethical Considerations for Sterilization Refusal in Nulliparous Women

Speakers:

Alyssa Izatt, M.A. PhD Student, University of British ColumbiaDepartment of Philosophy. W. Maurice Young Centre for Applied Ethics

Rebecca Greenberg, RN, PhDSenior Bioethicist, Sinai Health System

Nipa Chauhan, MHSc, Bioethics Associate , Sinai Health System

Abstract

This seminar will consider how requests for sterilization in young, childless women are handled. We examine the ethical, social, and professional considerations for tubal sterilizations (TS). While many young women come to their physicians with well-considered requests, they are often denied due to the concern for the risk of regret, and the availability of effective and temporary alternative forms of contraception. We will examine the deeper motivations for desiring a permanent form of contraception, and the ethical issues that arise when regret is prioritized in medical decision-making. We argue for a patient-centred approach, which emphasizes reproductive autonomy and informed consent, and deprioritizes regret.

Additional Details:

The event is free and is open to the general public.

The direct link to the seminar will be sent out to registered participants 2 hours before the event. The JCB Bioethics Seminars are now being live-streamed to our YouTube channel. If you don’t receive the link 2 hours before the event, please head over there and click on the live stream. Subscribe to our channel to receive notices of upcoming events.

Questions?

Please email Terry Yuen, jcb.ea@utoronto.ca.