The Tangled Web We Weave When We Artificially Conceive: The Solomonic Dilemma of ‘Leftover’ Frozen Embryos

Friday, July 10. 2015

The Tangled Web We Weave When We Artificially Conceive: The Solomonic Dilemma of ‘Leftover’ Frozen Embryos

I have acquaintances that a decade ago decided to adopt some “leftover” frozen human embryos created with in vitro fertilization (IVF). Presuming they were essentially adopting children, the couple first consulted an adoption attorney. Imagine their surprise when he referred them to a property-rights lawyer. In our state, human embryos are considered to be “property,” not people.

Back in 2002, a Rand Corp. report revealed that there were 396,526 frozen embryos in the United States. There are certainly many more today, and in many states, these little lives have no more legal worth than a house or a car.

This situation where we can legally own human life is a direct result of creating life outside of the body — outside of the loving embrace of husband and wife. Once human life is created in a laboratory, in bulk, ownership is suddenly an issue.

So who owns human embryos once they are created? The people who commissioned their existence. But what happens when those people disagree on how to dispose of their “property”?

Such a dispute has recently hit the headlines. Nick Loeb, an American businessman, and Sofia Vergara, an actress known for the T.V. show Modern Family, are locked in a legal battle over two female embryos the couple created together when they were engaged to be married. They created four embryos, with the intent of using surrogates to bring their children to term. Two attempts at impregnating surrogates failed. The couple then split up, leaving the lives of the last two girls in limbo.

Continue reading at the National Catholic Register>>

Posted by Rebecca Taylor in IVF at 10:00 | Comments (6) | Trackbacks (0)

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NaPro is nothing more than snake oil that doesn't address a lot of issues with infertility. Unlike IVF it does not treat for Male Factor infertility or in other cases. Fertility is not an exact science. It's important to understand that certain treatments will work for some but not others.

#1 Greg (Homepage) on 2015-07-13 06:28 (Reply)

Yeah but on the other hand, the alternatives involve creating, trafficking in, and all too often deliberately destroying human beings outside the natural reproductive process.

You're never going to get perfect, in this world. And when you're picking among second-bests and pis aller, commodifying human beings is kinda a deal breaker.

#1.1 Tom in AZ on 2015-07-16 16:56 (Reply)

In our childfilled society, life is already commodified by those with children. That is what is driving this.

#1.1.1 Greg (Homepage) on 2015-07-17 07:26 (Reply)

How the hell does merely having children "commodify life"? Other people have children, so you have to engage in human trafficking? Please, explain the link between the two.

#1.1.1.1 Tom in AZ on 2015-07-17 10:03 (Reply)

Those with children outcast and devalue those who don't have children. Those who are childless are branded as being less valuable than those who have children. That's what is driving these practices.

#1.1.1.1.1 Greg (Homepage) on 2015-07-20 06:43 (Reply)

Can you contact me, I had some questions about the released planned parenthood video. I sent you a message via facebook.

my email is thecrescatblog@gmail.com

Hope you've been well. Glad to see you're still blogging.

Pax- Kat

#2 The Crescat (Homepage) on 2015-07-16 08:00 (Reply)

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