The Octuplets and Regulations - What Should We Do?
I have been trying to show restraint with my opinion on the octuplets because I believe strongly in reproductive freedom for everyone in America, and I also understand an individuals strong desire for children. But, I really enjoyed the piece written by George Dvorsky on the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies Blog. He makes quite a few good points involving common sense and restraint. As many have cited, he wants ASRM to set up and give their guidelines some teeth. I am not certain if that will happen or if it should happen, but let me know what you think.
"Like a lot of people last week, I was shocked to find out that Nadya Suleman, the mother of the octuplets born last week in Los Angeles, already has 6 children—all between the ages of 2 and 7.
And that she is a single mother who has already filed for bankruptcy, and that she is a self-described “professional student” who lives off education grants and parental money.....
Looking at this case one gets the feeling that some fertility clinics look upon their patients as nothing more than customers. Given the nature of their work, however, this attitude will simply not do.
A lassez-faire approach to repro-tech won’t work to protect the interests of those hoping to use these technologies and to protect those lives that are created as a result. I agree that regulation should be very liberal and accommodating to a diverse set of interests, but complete de-regulation would be both dangerous and facile.
But establishing regulations and guidelines is one thing, enforcing it is quite another.
In some cases, this one included, it would be perfectly reasonable for the state to intervene and deny access, or at the very least compel clinics to follow a strict set of guidelines to prevent this sort of thing from happening. It’s time to empower groups like the ASRM—particularly now as new reproductive technologies are emerging quickly. This way, fertility clinics will be compelled to follow the rules and be held accountable for their actions.
It’s clear that this has to happen. Clinics won’t regulate themselves.
But why should we have expected them to? They’re not the ones who now have to raise these children. "
Click Here For Complete Article
See Also Article by the Reproductive Rights Prof Blog
Theresa M. Erickson, Esq.
Surrogacy Lawyer & Egg Donation Lawyer
www.EricksonLaw.net
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