Monday, January 10, 2011
Ethical Issues of IVF and Sex Selection
12:09 PM | 
Posted by
Lady Gray |
I read an article today that literally makes me sick to my stomach. A couple in Australia is fighting their government for the right to sex-selective IVF. At first glance, this may not seem too egregious. Many couples have reasons for wanting a particular sex. Sometimes it is as simple as already having multiple children of one sex or as complicated as carrying a gene for a genetic defect only present in a particular sex. I have seen cases where couples had an interest in wanting to have only girls as they husband (or wife) carried a gene that would ensure any son born would have a debilitating defect that would result in a short, painful life. I can go into the ethical implications of that, but I will save that for another time. What sickens me is the next part oft he story where it describes how the couple has already aborted a successful IVF pregnancy that resulted in the conception of twin boys. This horrifies me. There are a few reasons why.
I have written about infertility issues in the past. It is an issue that is very near and dear to me. Not because I am unable to have children. For those of you who know me, you know that I am pro-life. But that designation does not just influence my decisions on election day. I decided a long time ago that in order to really make a difference, I have to do more than just call myself a pro-lifer. For many years I thought about how I could "walk the walk" in my commitment to saving the unborn. I have volunteered at pregnancy help clinics, listened to the stories of women who had previously ended their pregnancies pre-term and sought to be shoulder for the victims, because in many ways I see the women who choose this as victims as well. But this wasn't enough for me, I knew I needed to do more.
A few years ago I saw an add for egg donation and signed up. Being able to assist a couple in having a child as normally as possible seemed like a great way to help. In many ways I have seen infertility, IVF, BC and abortion become interconnected in this all encompassing issue of women's fertility. Standing where I can help those who desire children and want to do whatever they can to help them is an important position I have taken. You can choose to disagree, and argue that there are so many children that need good homes, why would you advocate against adoption? As someone that plans on pursuing adoption at some point in my life, I see the issues as being very different. Yes, there are children out there that need good homes. They need parents that WANT them, have dreamed about them and will do everything they can do provide them with a better life. Unfortunately, the numbers of adoptable children is not as great as it once was.
"The number of adoptions in the United States peaked in 1970.[45] It is uncertain what caused the subsequent decline. Besides the legalization of artificial birth control methods and abortion, the years of the late 1960s and early 1970s saw a dramatic change in society's view of illegitimacy. In response, family preservation efforts grew[46] so that few children born out of wedlock today are adopted (Refer to Table 1). Ironically, adoption is far more visible and discussed in society today, yet it is less common.[47]" (Wikipedia)
Adoption is a long, difficult process and a serious commitment. We all heard about the woman who sent her adopted son back to Russia last year. Disgusting as it was, it highlights an issue that rarely gets discussed. Many of the children that are adopted, especially from foreign countries, can have serious emotional issues. That can be a major burden for new parents and that has become a deterrent for some.
Last year I received a call from the fertility center I signed up for a few years back. They had a couple that was very interested in me. As my life has changed significantly since initially volunteering for this, I told the nurse I needed a few days to think it over and talk to Mr. Gray. I prayed and prayed. As this was to be an anonymous donation, I knew nothing about the couple. Were they going to be good parents? Why didn't they just pursue adoption? Was I wrong to assist them in this when there are children that need to be adopted? Could I even make that judgement? Could I trust that the clinic had done their homework in ensuring the couple should do this procedure? How much oversight is appropriate in this type of situation? In the instance of adoption, a couple's life is all but turned upside down to ensure they will be good parents. How does this differ from IVF?
In the end, with Mr. Gray's blessing, I told them yes and began the difficult preparation. After weeks of IVF I made my donation. Sometime this year I will know if it was a success. In the end, I reached this decision because I have to trust that God has a plan. Somehow I fit into the plan for this couple and the logistics of my work schedule and fitting in the surgery worked. I faced a few obstacles on the path to seeing this through and every door opened. Looking back, I am filled with awe when I think of this couple that now can experience giving birth to a child naturally. The mother (God willing) will carry this child herself and give birth herself. If she is anything like I am, she has probably dreamed of this most of her life. Being able to assist someone in having a child that they want so much they have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars and traveled thousands of miles to have is very fulfilling.
I can't speak for them, as I don't know their identity, but that life that was created is likely the most precious thing to them now. That is what is important. Changing the dialogue in this country regarding this hot issues will not happen until we remember that life is what is precious. No matter if it is just seconds after conception or 90 years after birth, it must be celebrated and revered.
I have written about infertility issues in the past. It is an issue that is very near and dear to me. Not because I am unable to have children. For those of you who know me, you know that I am pro-life. But that designation does not just influence my decisions on election day. I decided a long time ago that in order to really make a difference, I have to do more than just call myself a pro-lifer. For many years I thought about how I could "walk the walk" in my commitment to saving the unborn. I have volunteered at pregnancy help clinics, listened to the stories of women who had previously ended their pregnancies pre-term and sought to be shoulder for the victims, because in many ways I see the women who choose this as victims as well. But this wasn't enough for me, I knew I needed to do more.
A few years ago I saw an add for egg donation and signed up. Being able to assist a couple in having a child as normally as possible seemed like a great way to help. In many ways I have seen infertility, IVF, BC and abortion become interconnected in this all encompassing issue of women's fertility. Standing where I can help those who desire children and want to do whatever they can to help them is an important position I have taken. You can choose to disagree, and argue that there are so many children that need good homes, why would you advocate against adoption? As someone that plans on pursuing adoption at some point in my life, I see the issues as being very different. Yes, there are children out there that need good homes. They need parents that WANT them, have dreamed about them and will do everything they can do provide them with a better life. Unfortunately, the numbers of adoptable children is not as great as it once was.
"The number of adoptions in the United States peaked in 1970.[45] It is uncertain what caused the subsequent decline. Besides the legalization of artificial birth control methods and abortion, the years of the late 1960s and early 1970s saw a dramatic change in society's view of illegitimacy. In response, family preservation efforts grew[46] so that few children born out of wedlock today are adopted (Refer to Table 1). Ironically, adoption is far more visible and discussed in society today, yet it is less common.[47]" (Wikipedia)
Adoption is a long, difficult process and a serious commitment. We all heard about the woman who sent her adopted son back to Russia last year. Disgusting as it was, it highlights an issue that rarely gets discussed. Many of the children that are adopted, especially from foreign countries, can have serious emotional issues. That can be a major burden for new parents and that has become a deterrent for some.
Last year I received a call from the fertility center I signed up for a few years back. They had a couple that was very interested in me. As my life has changed significantly since initially volunteering for this, I told the nurse I needed a few days to think it over and talk to Mr. Gray. I prayed and prayed. As this was to be an anonymous donation, I knew nothing about the couple. Were they going to be good parents? Why didn't they just pursue adoption? Was I wrong to assist them in this when there are children that need to be adopted? Could I even make that judgement? Could I trust that the clinic had done their homework in ensuring the couple should do this procedure? How much oversight is appropriate in this type of situation? In the instance of adoption, a couple's life is all but turned upside down to ensure they will be good parents. How does this differ from IVF?
In the end, with Mr. Gray's blessing, I told them yes and began the difficult preparation. After weeks of IVF I made my donation. Sometime this year I will know if it was a success. In the end, I reached this decision because I have to trust that God has a plan. Somehow I fit into the plan for this couple and the logistics of my work schedule and fitting in the surgery worked. I faced a few obstacles on the path to seeing this through and every door opened. Looking back, I am filled with awe when I think of this couple that now can experience giving birth to a child naturally. The mother (God willing) will carry this child herself and give birth herself. If she is anything like I am, she has probably dreamed of this most of her life. Being able to assist someone in having a child that they want so much they have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars and traveled thousands of miles to have is very fulfilling.
I can't speak for them, as I don't know their identity, but that life that was created is likely the most precious thing to them now. That is what is important. Changing the dialogue in this country regarding this hot issues will not happen until we remember that life is what is precious. No matter if it is just seconds after conception or 90 years after birth, it must be celebrated and revered.
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2 comments:
first time commenting on your blog!
i think it is awesome that you are an egg donor. i've thought about doing it myself but now i think i would be disqualified....oh well....just wanted you to know i think its an awesome decision!
Thanks Devon! It's not easy to come public with because you never know how people are going to react. I do feel like I was a part of something really important. Each time we reach a new milestone (postive pregnancy test, heartbeat, kick) I'm just in awe. I think the next best thing will be when I have my own children!
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