Children´s Rights in Reproductive Technologies

The research project is embedded in the discourse of theological ethics on reproductive technologies. It is focused on a new form of planned parenthood: Co-Parenting Websites facilitate the contact between individuals who want to meet people wishing to reproduce and found a family on the basis of non-romantic friendship. From an ethical perspective, these websites can be understood as an extension of reproductive autonomy of adult persons. However, there are already a few studies in Belgium and England which point to the vulnerability and fragility of bonding in such family constellations - not to mention the severe juridical problems which occur when the situation changes and obligations cannot be met any longer. In contrast to the dominant paradigm of reproductive autonomy the research project focuses on the question of children`s well-being and children`s rights in the specific context of this new phenomenon of Co-parenting Websites. The research project aims to discuss the question whether and how society and state are obliged to secure and foster the well-being, the interests and the rights of children in this new form of planned parenthood. Are Co-parenting Websites a threshold to call for any form of state interference in private decision-making processes? The project develops a theory-informed research design, based on the "hermeneutical approach" of the deceased theological ethicist Bernhard Fraling: According to his approach, normative claims and judgements cannot be held without investigating and comprehending the personal value orientation and moral request of people affected. Thus, the research project develops a guided interview with users of the German Co-parenting Website, www.familyship.org (Berlin). It aims to investigate the personal motivations, expectations and fears, but also the value orientation and their ethical awareness, referring to the interests and the well-being of their prospective child. Linking the results of this empirical study with findings from developmental psychology and theology, the research project contributes to an adequate normative evaluation of modern family forms with a focus on the needs of children. Www.familyhip.org has not been an object of scientific research so far neither have CoParenting Websites been compared to other forms of planned parenthood and evaluated within the discourse of theological ethics. If theological ethics does not want to confine its argumentation to the rejection of almost all forms of reproductive medicine according to the doctrine of the Roman Catholic magisterium, it has to develop a more distinguished system of ethical evaluation. Univ. Prof. Angelika Walser (Moraltheologie und Spirituelle Theologie/Department "Praktische Theologie"/Salzburg University).

Bernadette Breunig's research project on Co-Parenting (starting a family on the basis of friendship) aims to find an appropriate way of dealing with new forms of starting a family. It pushes forward the development of Catholic theological family research. Based on the offerings of the digital platform www.familyship.org, Breunig firstly examines in an empirical section- in nine problem-centered guideline interviews - the motives, considerations, and individual values of (prospective) parents who want to start a family on the basis of friendship or have already taken this step. Breunig's results: The new family form is not as much due to (homo)sexual orientation than to the high expectations commonly placed on traditional marriage-based family. Co-Parenting families can be seen as a departure from the vision of love-based marriage that has existed since the Romantic era. In the eyes of the interview partners, solid friendships often proves to be more reliable and stable than romantic relationships. Another advantage in contrast to the traditional family model is the realization of gender juistice, referring to the distribution of care and paid work, as well as the fact that- unlike with sperm banks, for example - the child knows both biological parents from the outset and can therefore develop a relationship with both. The parent-child relationship is also the focus of the second theological-ethical part of the project. Firstly, Breunig takes a look at the reproductive rights of adults and contrasts them with a view on children's rights and their welfare. Applied to the specific situation of Co-parenting, Breunig concludes that the new method of starting a family can appeal to reproductive freedom (Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights). However, the contractual paradigm alone does not do justice to the special dependencies of the Co-Parenting-situation. Referring to the principle of graduality in "Amoris Laetitia," Breunig applies criteria of relational ethics such as mindfulness regarding the vulnerabilities of all involved parties or the primacy of love. Breunig has no doubt that Co-Parenting families can succeed if adults are prepared to act responsibly, not only with regard to the child but also with regard to their partner. Breunig concludes that the Catholic Church should be more politically active in promoting alternative family forms. From a theological ethical perspective, ensuring the quality of relationships must be more important than merely preserving traditional family structures for the sake of form. Public and legal recognition of alternative family forms would also contribute significantly to their stability without diminishing the value of the marriage-based family - on the contrary. It is not marriage that makes a successful family life, but respect, appreciation and unconditional love.