Introduction

X

failed because it was too ambitious. That has been traced in two

essays. The first commandment directed toward humanity was the

simple“be fruitful and multiply”—2 direct result of sexual union that leads to the next generation. Birth is joyful, not always easy, and the development of a child unpredictable. Modern medical technologies are at the edge of dealing with some of these issues by eliminating potential health and genetic problems and providing untold options. These advances bring a new set of ethical issues, explored in the

concluding essay. The selection of responsa demonstrate the range of problems

om the people’s point of view. Issues that were widely debated nt, whereas others that hardly played a role Most of the responsa deal with either the contemporary society or the evolving lection taken from published responsa. mes, only a few matters could be lated questions in the future.

seen fr in previous times are abse at all now loom large. changing morality of technologies. This is a se As with previous volu discussed, and we hope to return to re