The Bioethics of "Baby Boxes"
From Health Ethics Podcast by Bryan Pilkington
May 19, 2025 · 40 min · Season 6 · Episode 5
About this episode
Dr. Bryan Pilkington discusses the ethical concerns surrounding baby boxes with Dr. Lori Bruce.
In this episode, Dr. Bryan Pilkington speaks with Dr. Lori Bruce on the ethical concerns surrounding baby boxes—devices used for the anonymous surrender of infants under Safe Haven laws. While good intentioned, Bruce argues these boxes lack regulation, informed consent, and support for vulnerable mothers. Evidence-based alternatives like confidential births and crisis counseling to better support families are discussed. Dr. Lori Bruce is Associate Director, Center for Bioethics, at the Yale School of Medicine. Episode Resources: Summer bioethics program: https://bioethics.yale.edu/summer Article about supported/confidential birth: https://bioethicstoday.org/blog/the-us-needs-confidential-birth/ Open letter to HHS about box regulations: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XDZMxjLSZPDUdOKT1yWHAf_e8vxW1QayxSgX3auANGE/ Token: Handmade paper and textile heart [Foundling Museum] https://foundlingmuseum.org.uk/object/token-handmade-paper-and-textile-heart/
People in this episode
Host: Dr. Bryan Pilkington
Guest: Dr. Lori Bruce
Topics covered
- bioethics
- baby boxes
- Safe Haven laws
- vulnerable mothers
- informed consent
- crisis counseling
Keywords
- baby boxes
- bioethics
- Safe Haven laws
- informed consent
- crisis counseling
- confidential births
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Center for Bioethics, Yale School of Medicine, HHS
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