The Debate over Reproductive Rights in Germany and Slovakia: Religious and Secular Voices, a Blurred Political Spectrum and Many Inconsistencies

Abstract

In this paper we analyse the legislation and arguments concerning bioethics and reproductive rights (on the examples of abortion and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis – PGD), as well as the power of different actors’ voices in Slovakia and Germany. Our comparative analysis revealed a paradox: In the abortion case study we found a restrictive principle with a pragmatic/liberal application in Germany, and a liberal law with a restrictive application in Slovakia. In the PGD case study we found a liberal approach and dominating critical religious voices in Slovakia; and a restrictive approach and dominating critical secular voices in Germany.