Social And Legal Issues On Human Artificial Insemination In Namibia

Abstract

Artificial insemination is the process by which a woman is medically impregnated using semen from her husband or from a third-party donor. The practice of artificial insemination in Namibia started just few years back, about 5 years ago. Most of the parents of the artificial inseminated babies are not open to talk about it because of some legal and social issues. In Namibia, artificial insemination cost about 6 000-7 000 $ and not many people can afford. Legal issues. Artificial insemination raises a number of legal concerns. Most states' laws prove that a child born as a result of artificial insemination using the husband's sperm, referred to as AIH, is presumed to be the husband's legal child. When a child is born after artificial insemination using the sperm of a third-party donor, referred to as AID, the law is less clear. Some states stipulate that the child is presumed to be the legal child of the mother and her husband, whereas others leave open the possibility that the child could be declared illegitimate. When a donor’s sperms are used, the donor is kept a secret which is against the law that states that ‘every child has the right to know his/her biological parents’. Other legal pitfalls open up as technology makes artificial insemination more sophisticated and more available. Now that sperm can be frozen for future use, a woman can be impregnated at any time, even after her husband's death. Religious issues. Namibia is Christian dominating country, many Christians believe Artificial insemination and other forms of fertility treatment are wrong because: • God chooses whether people have babies or not; if a couple is childless, it may be God’s will. • God may have chosen these people to devote their lives to other kinds of Christian work. • It goes against “natural law” to create a child in any way other than through sex. AI using a donor is wrong! It brings a 3rd party (another man) into the marriage. In conclusion, we should educate people and make them understand the benefits of artificial insemination in order to avoid such problems in the future.