Alexander Sanger is, as noted on the front cover
of this book in a blurb from the Washington Post, the grandson of Margaret
Sanger, the pioneer of birth control in the early twentieth century. He refers
to her work, making a point along the way about the lack of any mention in her
own records as to what method of birth control she and her husband used
themselves.

Sanger’s book is very clearly written, with
little jargon, and generally very readable. He likes to repeat his arguments
throughout, which certainly reinforces his central messages about the
importance of reproductive freedom to the survival and health and well-being of
humanity. The short sentences and no nonsense approach can read a little
coldly, and some closer attention to editing would have improved the book.

He discusses contraception, DNA paternity
testing, and reproductive technologies, as well as mate selection, parenting,
and the effects of poverty on reproductive behavior. But abortion features
strongly in his argument, for obvious politico-social reasons. The pro-life and
pro-choice arguments can sometimes seem irreconcilable, but Sanger takes a
different approach. He wants to broaden out the pro-choice viewpoint, and
challenge the morality argument of the pro-life supporters. 

One crucial point he argues is that life is a
‘continuum of survival and reproduction repeating itself’. Those who oppose abortion
do so because they cannot condone the taking of a life, but Sanger broadens
this out to the wider view of humanity’s survival, rather than only that of a
single and unborn individual. A woman’s decision that she cannot continue a
pregnancy because she cannot support the child, for example, ensures that
future children will be born when she can support them, and they will be
healthier and more likely to go on to reproduce themselves, which is the key
feature of reproductive success. ‘If parents don’t make these hard choices,
then natural selection will and all might perish’, he writes, concluding that
legal abortion is necessary as ‘giving parents the ability to control their
reproduction helps more of humanity survive’.

He is forthright in his attitudes. He wishes to
remove the stigma and shame of abortion, and have it talked about openly. He
regards it as a reproductive strategy to ensure the general survival and health
of humanity. Sanger respects and trusts the capability of men and women in making
their own reproductive decisions, without being restricted by governments.
There are some practices, such as sex-selection in certain countries, which he
sees as disastrous to the well-being of people, and which he believes should be
regulated. He provides a rational discussion of cloning and its problems, without
resorting to sensationalism.        

I wasn’t convinced by all of his arguments,
particularly his seeming faith in mass DNA testing as a solution to men’s
anxiety about paternity. He doesn’t consider the possible effects of this upon
the child, or upon the bonds between parent and child. He presents worrying, if
fascinating, studies on the possible deleterious effects of hormonal
contraceptives on mate selection, and discusses why teenage pregnancy is a
logical reproductive strategy for young women in disadvantaged communities
where poverty and poor health are common.

‘A world without reproductive freedom is the
animal world’ he writes towards the end. Without the liberty to make
reproductive decisions for ourselves, we would be at the mercy of nature.
Humanity would look very different today if that had been the case throughout history.
He is very clear and insistent on this point, and argues it persuasively.

© 2006 Sue Bond

Sue Bond has degrees in medicine and
literature and a Master of Arts in Creative Writing. Reviews for online and
print publications. She lives in Queensland,  Australia.

Categories: Ethics