Abstract

This chapter investigates some of the philosophical issues that stem from individuals engaging in multiplex parenting. The introduction presents a brief overview of in vitro gametogenesis, cross-sex gametes, the non-identity problem, and safety considerations in reproductive research. Natural and Biotechnological Pathways to Multiplex Genetic Parenthood presents how more than two individuals could have a child that is genetically related to all of them. Parenthood through Multiplex Parenting presents a challenge that could be raised to the use of in vitro-derived gametes for achieving multiplex parenting—that such children would not be biologically related to the intending parents in the desired way. From Parent to Grandparent responds to this challenge and argues that multiplex parenting fares no worse than certain cases of naturally occurring reproduction. Extended Lineages in Quintuple Multiplex Parenting presents an objection to the argument advanced in section From Parent to Grandparent—that only a reduced number of multiplex parenting cases are similar to those that occur in nature. Finally, I respond to such objection by further specifying what is what people intend to achieve when engaging in multiplex parenting.