Abstract
The intervention of medicine in human reproduction (contraception, abortion, artificial procreation) has blurred the boundaries between nature and culture regarding the beginning of human life. This change has led to an unprecedented possibility to increase self-determination, and, therefore, individual responsibility with respect to the choice of giving birth, no longer a gift of God, but a realistic chance to accomplish a wish. This circumstance has opened a debate as to whether or not the right to parenthood and procreation is absolute, and if the person has the right to choose whether or not to conceive. Indeed, the Italian debate is related to two specular aspects of the same issue concerning the alleged absolute inviolability of the embryo: on the one hand, the request of infertile couples to be able to conceive a child through assisted reproduction, including through the use of biological materials external to the couple, subject to rulings of the Constitutional Court, and on the other hand, on the still controversial access to abortion, governed by a law that came into force in 1978, over 40 years ago. In light of these considerations, the relationship between pluralism, religion, culture and jurisdiction on contraception, abortion, assisted reproduction, and childbirth will be analysed, with particular attention placed on the influence of conscientious objection, which is allowed under certain conditions by Italian law, and how it is used as a boycotting tool by certain professional categories in relation to individual choices.
