Ova-Dose?

Looks at in-vitro fertilization (IVF) technology in Australia and the surrounding moral, ethical, social, financial and political issues. Hepburn argues that those potentially most involved - women - are strangely absent both from any debate and the decision-making process.

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Very few healthy babies are produced by in-vitro fertilization. "Ova-dose" looks at IVF technology and its potential. Australia is at the forefront of the technology. What does the investment and involvement in it say about Australian values when compared to child poverty, or the deaths of Aboriginal babies? "Ova-dosse" asks the questions;: who defines? who decides? who directs? who profits? and, who knows best? It examines all the moral, ethical, social and political issues - some previously unimaginable - surrounding the technology. Women had little control over the "old" technology and they are still not being consulted about the new. However, issues surrounding the new technology affect women profoundly; especially society's perception of "woman", society and the family. Much power is in the hands of those whom Hepburn calls the funders, fixers and financiers. Others with a vested interest include church groups, philosophers and feminists. Those who should be foremost in the discussion, as participants and subjects - women - are strangely absent from the debate. Indeed a debate has not really begun.
Instead, decisions involving ethical, political and financial judgements are being taken by those who claim the power and knowledge to do so through their control of the technology.