Artificial womb technology, pregnancy, and EU employment rights

This article considers challenges for the European Union (EU) maternity and pregnancy rights framework when faced with advances in reproductive technology. Specifically, we consider how the introduction of the 'artificial womb' technology, an alternative to bodily gestation, would impact t...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Hooton, V. (Author), Romanis, E.C (Author)
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Oxford University Press 2022
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Online Access:View Fulltext in Publisher
Description
Summary:This article considers challenges for the European Union (EU) maternity and pregnancy rights framework when faced with advances in reproductive technology. Specifically, we consider how the introduction of the 'artificial womb' technology, an alternative to bodily gestation, would impact the availability of rights that exist under the maternity and discrimination framework. Employment rights in the EU context have already been confronted by the challenges of advancements in reproduction. We use the case law on in vitro fertilization (IVF) and surrogacy as a baseline for unpacking the challenges that 'artificial wombs' will bring. This analysis of the legal framework on maternity rights and sex discrimination will highlight potential avenues for integrating this technology and ensuring the continuation of rights for those opting for it. We advocate against the stratification of maternity and pregnancy rights based on the reproductive and gestational choices made by the pregnant person. © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Duke University School of Law, Harvard Law School, Oxford University Press, and Stanford Law School. All rights reserved.
ISBN:20539711 (ISSN)
DOI:10.1093/jlb/lsac009