Procreative Rights.

[MunchinMark]

A week or so ago there was a story on the news about a pair of Manchester students who sold their eggs to a US couple. This thread isn't about this particular story, but it did get me thinking.

An enormous amount of investment, medical research and resources go into infertility treatment. It seems as though couples are desperate to have their own children. There are also lots of children who are left in childcare and orphanages. Whilst I'm sure that the intention is that they get the best care that can be afforded to them I don't think such an upbringing could be described as 'good.'

So here's the big question that I've been turning over in my head. How far should prospective parents go using medical resources to help them have their own children?

Are some people just not going to be parents? Could the money that they use be spent more effectively elsewhere in medicine? What about adoption? What about overpopulation? What about the effect that failure to produce a child after so much effort could do to them? Where do you think a line should be drawn in the sand, is there a point at which infertile couples should not go beyond? Do you have experiences of this kind of situation?

Pretty open topic, if a bit heavy.

 

[MissTaken]

It has been my experience that many couples will continue to try treatments for infertility until they are either certain there is no hope or they have run out of financial resouces.

Then, they may turn to adoption.
However, the cost of adoption and the likelihood of adopting that cherished, unscarred infant are factors to be considered.

I believe couples must decide how far they will go and for them, it is best if they make that decision before engaging in genetic counseling etc. I have seen many couples deflated and disheartened by the "let's try one more time" message or the "well, we haven't tried this."

Just my two cents...

 

[Kitte]

It is a slow day, I will dive right in feet first.

I dont beleive in most methods of infertility treatment. I think the money would be much better spent on taking care of the needs of children already created.

I think at the point when you are putting yourself at risk of having multiple births by emplanting 8 embryos, is rediculous. I am sorry if this is hurtful to people who deeply desire a biological child. But to me being a parent is so much more then Biology.

As I said in another thread, I would never hinder someones rights to do what they choose with their body. But it is my thought that if you can not have children for a medical reason. Adopt. You can still be a parent.

And dont get me wrong. I would love to have a child someday. But if I couldnt. I would probably adopt.