Questions for Discussion

1. Freely asserts that the public debates about reproductive situations like that of the Hashmis get

"muddled" because people "are talking about too many things at once." What does she mean by that

statement? How does that point relate to the main argument of her essay?

2. Freely concedes that many of the concerns expressed by people on various sides of the reproductive

controversy involving the Hashmis are valid concerns. She even concedes that people who have

racist ideas are asking important questions about this controversy. Why do you think Freely makes

these concessions? In what ways might these concessions strengthen her main argument?

3. A central point that Freely makes in this essay is that "the regulation of fertility" and reproductive issues

in general are increasingly public, rather than private, issues. What counterarguments could you offer to

that point?

4. A British writer, Freely writes, "You have only to look at the chaotic, under-regulated United States to

see how lucky we are. In Britain, at least, we have rules and principles. We can harness change, make

sure it is not open to abuse, or slow it down so that we have time to think about it." She favors deliber-

ate regulation of the technology based on "rules and principles." What purpose does this comparison to

the United States serve? Do you think such a comparison is effective, given her audience? (Remember

that Freely was writing this essay for a British magazine.) How did you react to this comparison?

5. Freely ends her essay by stating that "we need a more rational debate" about reproductive issues. On

the basis of her essay, what do you think she means by a "rational debate"? Do you think her essay is an

example of an argument that would be part of such a debate? Explain, citing specific examples from her

essay to support your answer.