I really don't know where I stand on this case number #38. I have to say I really didn't know this could be done and how it has been happening for some time now. I never would want to say someone couldn't have a baby if they are willing to do what it takes. But in these case's of splitting the embryo so it can make another life is a little mind blowing. Is this going to far? Do we want this much power in our world.? For the most part it would be great for the ones who can't conceive. But on the other side how safe is it to the child being made. Now the question in the book was should Dr T. do this for the partents. I say yes, it is what they want and it is the embryo to do what they want with it. I don't think it is wrong for Dr. T. to do what they want. I just feel they should really think about what they are doing.
I agree with you Shirley, I think it is going to far. I'm not basing my thought on religion but the respect for humanity. If this is an option we lose the respect for life. I think as a rational being we need to keep somethings sacred and this respect for humanity should be thought as sacred. It's just my opinion though.
I know it can be devastating to be told that you cannot conceive a child naturally. I know many people would do whatever it takes to conceive a child of their own. Introducing a foreign body to “mutate” something is not a natural process and is not ethical at time. I think it’s beneficial for research purposes to find cures for diseases but not to supersede the natural process ie: “making a wiz kid”. I do believe this couple has a right to decide what they should do to conceive a child. I do think that Dr. T should grant their wishes if the couple both agree to follow through the procedure. According to McMaham, that an embryo is a “cluster of cells” and there is no wrongness to manipulate an embryo until the “state of consciousness” is developed. So in this case, there would be not harm to the embryo. If the couple decides to use the divided embryos again, the genetic component maybe identical (like identical twins) but their physical and mental presence is different. This is less problematic than “cloning” a person because cloning is often defined as a “production of mass humans”.
I agree it is not natural process and is a very big decision for someone to make. Not being able to conceive a child for some is devastating news. Having these opportunities to create life is life changing for many people. As long as people are using it for good I think it is great choice for those who cannot conceive.
I also did not know this was a possibility. I have heard a lot of buzz about stem cell research etc., but have never really taken the time to learn about what is going on surrounding this topic. I do not think Dr. T should act in accordance with this couples wishes. First of all, they are not doctors or medical professionals that we are aware of, and they are telling their doctor what they want to do as if they are the expert in this field. It is unfortunate that they are having such a hard time conceiving, but I think after 2 unsuccessful attempts, and only one remaining embryo, I feel they are grasping at straws to force this into happening. I am all for IVF, but I just think after all this time. money, and effort, maybe it was not the divine plan if it hasn't happened yet. Perhaps their destiny should be adoption, saving an innocent baby that would otherwise not have a good life. This couple obviously wants a family badly and I feel they would be amazing parents. Maybe they are missing their calling and this is God's way of closing the door and opening another window of possibility that they may have not considered. I'm not sure I agree with embryo splitting, again I feel this seems to be pushing the limit a bit too far and trying to control creation. IVF makes sense to me, but splitting does not. Though they are different in some ways, the splitting of the embryo is not genetically enhanced and the SCNT is, I still don't feel either is ethically moral.
I have never been faced with infertility issues, but my family members have. I have a 14 year old cousin who was born from IVF. My family is Catholic and IVF was morally against what my family stood for. For myself, I do not think there is anything wrong with IVF or delayed twinning, as long as there is enough research. I have heard remarks that IVF is like playing God. If that is the case, then so is keeping someone alive on life support. I believe that Dr. T should act in accordance with the wishes of the couple and embryo splitting is morally defensible.
I never thought of it that way "Playing God". Good point that when we use life support to prolong life it is like the same thing. Create life or Prolong life the same thing?
I think a comparable could be physician assisted suicide would be comparable to physician assisted creation of life. With either there is no respect for life. I think respecting life is the key. Just my opinion though.
I have never been faced with infertility issues, but my family members have. I have a 14 year old cousin who was born from IVF. My family is Catholic and IVF was morally against what my family stood for. For myself, I do not think there is anything wrong with IVF or delayed twinning, as long as there is enough research. I have heard remarks that IVF is like playing God. If that is the case, then so is keeping someone alive on life support. I believe that Dr. T should act in accordance with the wishes of the couple and embryo splitting is morally defensible.
My husband and I have been faced with fertility issues. When I had my first son it was unexplained infertility so there was no underlying cause to treat. I’m currently pregnant and my fertility was harmed even more after undergoing chemotherapy for lymphoma between pregnancies. I don’t think there is anything morally wrong with conceiving via IVF as I have done this myself. It’s a very personal decision and I have heard every side of the story from strangers and even family members.
This is the first I had learned of delayed twinning. I don’t think this is something I would personally do because I find it strange to have “twins” at different ages. I understand first hand that the cost of the medications and procedures are extremely high and what the woman has to go through as far as side effects and the retrieval process, but I would go through it again before I’d split embryos. I look at IVF as assisting in conception when it won’t happen naturally, but nothing is actually manipulated or changed. I think delayed twinning is taking science a little too far.
God bless you Shelley for the struggles you have been through. What a hard thing to go through. This was obviously a decision that you and your husband felt was right for you and your family. I am happy for you to be blessed with the gift of a child.
IVF is a wonderful option , I think delayed twinning just takes it once step further. While I wouldn't choose this option for myself, I do respect other's freedom to chose what is best for them.
I had no idea delayed twinning existed. I find this odd, but I believe Dr. T should grant the wishes of the couple. If science is capable of providing this procedure, they should have the right to make that decision. I think embryo splitting is morally defensible as an adjunct to IVF. Medical ethics will continue to be questioned with the enhancement of scientific discoveries. I had trouble conceiving all three of my children. We never had to go through IVF, but used drugs to induce ovulation along with artificial insemination. No one understands this concept unless they have been through it. To be told that you have to go to great lengths to have a child is heartbreaking.
I completely agree Tricia, I work with these couples on a daily basis and its sad. I am glad there is options out there for them to help them bring the gift of life into the world and become parents. Anything that is medically safe and approved should be granted if agreed upon.
I agree it would be heart breaking to have to go through such great lengths to have a child. People often say well there is adoption. Yes there is, but sometimes people long to have a biological child of there own and it can be very devastating to be told that will not happen.
I agree as well . The embryos are theirs do with as they wish. If they understand the process and are willing to do it , I think the physician should follow their wishes.
I deal with IVF patients very frequently working in Labor and Delivery, and I am completly for this process for a couple who can not concieve on their own. I on the other hand was not aware you could split and embryo into four cells making four babies. I have always heard from my patients about how they were able to retrieve 5-7 eggs and those were placed in petry dishes with a sperm and fertilized and then the couple would pick one to two of the petry dishes to have implanted into the mother. In saying this is this is medically safe than I am all for it and I think that the doctor should educate the parents of any risks in doing this and if they still feel strongly about their dicision then he should follow their wishes.
IVF for a couple facing infertility is okay. If the married couple, using their own reproductive systems, uses science to assist in childbearing then it seems responsible. However, the idea of embryo splitting and creating genetically identical persons seems to be taking things too far. I believe God's plan is in place regardless of what the couple wants and if the pregnancies are repeatedly unsuccessful, then adoption could be a wonderful alternative for the couple. I do not feel like any form of cloning or embryo splitting is morally alright. The doctor should act against the wishes of the couple, if that is what he/she believes is morally right. I do not think it is an acceptable alternative to IVF. If it is a legal procedure, the decision is up to the couple and doctor's decision.
Kelli, I completely agree with you. Having gone through IVF myself, I would have never taken it a step farther to embryo splitting. I actually never even knew this was an option. I believe at some point a couple will have to accept the reality. I also think about the children as they grow up. It would be so weird to have a twin that's 5 years older or younger than yourself. Especially since they would be identical.
IVF can be a very sensitive subject for many people. Some consider what this couple and doctor are doing as going a nature and trying to play "God". Having a child is a true blessing that I myself have been blessed with twice. I known that it can be a heart breaking struggle for some couples who want children and can not have them on their own. I myself do not see anything wrong with IVF. I think it is a personal decision that a couple must make and there needs to be research and an investment made to come to this decision. I also think that the doctor needs to respect the wishes of the couple. I'm not sure how I feel about delayed twinning. I do think that this is kind of an unnatural act but God did give someone the knowledge to be able to figure out how to recreate human life in this way. Is that wrong? That's a matter of personal opinion and beliefs. There are many people out there so desperate to have a family and children that I'm sure they would go to any measures to be blessed. Even if that means having identical twins that are different ages. I do believe that all events happen for a reason, there is no guarantee that splitting these embryos for delayed twinning would work but if it is possible for this couple and they are informed and willing to proceed then so be it.
I agree that these advancements in medicine are practiced and used based on one's own belief system. It should be up to the patient and doctor to determine if that is what is best for their particular situation. The procedures themselves, however, must be ethical and protect the nature of the vulnerable population, i.e the unborn child. I don't think that identical children of different ages is natural. It God had intended for the couple to have identical twins, they would have given birth to them naturally during the same pregnancy.
I am thrilled to see how far science has come and where it may go. We have opportunity to see some amazing advances and in this case, help someone. Isn't that what good science and technology is all about? Technology has a habit of stagnating every couple of decades. We should embrace what we can learn when the opportunity is there. I think it is simply amazing that an identical twin could be born two years later, or that we can know what disease or disorder we may have in the future. This information gives us the opportunity to make informed decisions. The case of embryo splitting and delayed twinning dies sound a bit like cloning, but this is a unique opportunity. I feel the doctor should go along with the couple's decision as long as no harm will come to them and they are well informed. The advances we will make with stem cells is invaluable. I personally do not feel an embryo in the very early stages is a human organism.
Cindy, I though the same thing as you. Wow how amazing that science has come this far to help people conceive their own child. I know that there are other options out there for couples but being able to enjoy the 9 months of pregnancy and then the delivery is a wonderful thing that a lot of people don't get to do. I feel like if we can help couples at least attempt to achieve this I think that is what we should do it.
OK so I'm going to play the devil's advocate. I disagree with the topic that they should even think about delayed twinning. I agree that IVF is definitely an option for couples to take advantage of. It's just science helping the couple conceive a child with their own egg and sperm. Delayed twinning is science helping the couple creat a child. That is immoral. Kant, using his categorical imperative of reason discusses the formula of humanity as an end and says that suicide fails to respect humanity as a duty. With this thought about respecting humanity, I believe it could also be implied that creating life is disrespecting humanity as a duty. Life is sacred and should be respected, this thought is only my old school opinion though.
Robin I have to agree with you. I have to objections to using advancement to assist in what would take place naturally, but because of some reason it's not happening. I don't however agree that science should be used to create a clone of a human being that could not naturally take place.
It is amazing how far science has come and to think that you could actually have a twin but be different ages is amazing to me. I think that the Dr. should do whatever the couple wishes. As always I think there should be education and referral to a genetics specialist so they know exactly what they are going to do and that they haven't been given any wrong information. If the couple is able to afford to continue doing what they choose to do then they should have available options. I would want whatever options were available to me if I were not able to conceive naturally. I know that some people think that it isn't right to use "artificial" means to conceive a child. But I believe if God didn't want people to use these new techniques he would not have implanted the ideas in the inventor's head to begin with. I don't think that delayed twinning is any less morally problematic than cloning, it is essentially the same thing. I think that embryo splitting would be less moral problematic because I do not believe that at this point the embryo is an organism.
This is very interesting .I had no idea this was even a possibility . I have no problem with the act od delayed twinning. The eggs belong to the couple and I fee it is their right to do with them as they see fit. Dr. T should indeed honor their wishes to proceed with the transfer. I think it can be used as an adjunct to IVF and embryo transfer and may possibly give the couple success. The question of whether it is less morally problematic , I say yes. This is not creating a human from a somatic cell where the being is produced asexually . This is a naturally conceived human , with the correct parts and ability to reproduce and divide without outside manipulation .
I had no idea this was even possible. I agree with IVF for couples that are unable to have a child naturally. However, I don't know if I totally agree with this form of splinting cells is really morally acceptable. I personally would not do it but I feel that if a couple wants this for themselves they should have the option. I do think that Dr T should honor their wishes. He should give them education regarding risk of this treatment.
I had no idea this was gong on! There is so much to consider. I truly believe life begins at conception so I believe the embryos are 'alive'. I think in the context of what is good and even moral for Karen and Roger T, this may qualify. It seems clear their goal is to conceive. However, I would worry that there are times the process of delayed twinning could be used for unethical and possible illegal reasons. what if parents want to save embryos in the event the child or children that were born need maybe a kidney? I know that sounds more like a horror movie, but what if? I think there are times that advances are made without looking fully into all possibilities as to how that new technology will be used to benefit, let alone how it could be harmful. That being said, I think IVF is a great advancement and has helped so many become parents, when two generations ago, they would have likely remained childless.
I agree with you regarding IVF. My question is though when IVF first was brought to the public were these same questions regarding ethics and morality asked of it?
I was not aware that delayed twinning existed. I think that there is nothing wrong with IVF for couples struggling with infertility. My husband and I have faced infertility first hand. I have know since an early age that I would not be able to carry a child. IVF was not something we wanted to consider as we would need to utilize a surrogate. While pregnancy is usually safe we were concerned with the possible risks to the health of a surrogate and opted to adopt instead. I believe that IVF is fine and could be looked at as “assistance” with conception, I believe that embryo splitting and cloning cross the line and are not okay.
I do not believe that Dr. T should act in accordance with the couples wishes. I feel that IVF is moral medical choice but delayed twinning is not. IVF is fertilization of eggs that could have been fertilized naturally. Delayed twinning is altering these eggs. I do not think that delayed twinning and embryo splitting is any less problematic than cloning. Each procedure has its own moral dilemmas. It is hard to say what is safe for embryos that are born into children if there are long term effects from altering natures course. In the realm of science these procedures are new and have been tested with farm animals. I do not believe we should be ready as a society to take these same risks with infants and children.
I really don't know where I stand on this case number #38. I have to say I really didn't know this could be done and how it has been happening for some time now. I never would want to say someone couldn't have a baby if they are willing to do what it takes. But in these case's of splitting the embryo so it can make another life is a little mind blowing. Is this going to far? Do we want this much power in our world.? For the most part it would be great for the ones who can't conceive. But on the other side how safe is it to the child being made. Now the question in the book was should Dr T. do this for the partents. I say yes, it is what they want and it is the embryo to do what they want with it. I don't think it is wrong for Dr. T. to do what they want. I just feel they should really think about what they are doing.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Shirley, I think it is going to far. I'm not basing my thought on religion but the respect for humanity. If this is an option we lose the respect for life. I think as a rational being we need to keep somethings sacred and this respect for humanity should be thought as sacred. It's just my opinion though.
DeleteI know it can be devastating to be told that you cannot conceive a child naturally. I know many people would do whatever it takes to conceive a child of their own. Introducing a foreign body to “mutate” something is not a natural process and is not ethical at time. I think it’s beneficial for research purposes to find cures for diseases but not to supersede the natural process ie: “making a wiz kid”. I do believe this couple has a right to decide what they should do to conceive a child. I do think that Dr. T should grant their wishes if the couple both agree to follow through the procedure. According to McMaham, that an embryo is a “cluster of cells” and there is no wrongness to manipulate an embryo until the “state of consciousness” is developed. So in this case, there would be not harm to the embryo. If the couple decides to use the divided embryos again, the genetic component maybe identical (like identical twins) but their physical and mental presence is different. This is less problematic than “cloning” a person because cloning is often defined as a “production of mass humans”.
ReplyDeleteI agree it is not natural process and is a very big decision for someone to make. Not being able to conceive a child for some is devastating news. Having these opportunities to create life is life changing for many people. As long as people are using it for good I think it is great choice for those who cannot conceive.
DeleteI also did not know this was a possibility. I have heard a lot of buzz about stem cell research etc., but have never really taken the time to learn about what is going on surrounding this topic. I do not think Dr. T should act in accordance with this couples wishes. First of all, they are not doctors or medical professionals that we are aware of, and they are telling their doctor what they want to do as if they are the expert in this field. It is unfortunate that they are having such a hard time conceiving, but I think after 2 unsuccessful attempts, and only one remaining embryo, I feel they are grasping at straws to force this into happening. I am all for IVF, but I just think after all this time. money, and effort, maybe it was not the divine plan if it hasn't happened yet. Perhaps their destiny should be adoption, saving an innocent baby that would otherwise not have a good life. This couple obviously wants a family badly and I feel they would be amazing parents. Maybe they are missing their calling and this is God's way of closing the door and opening another window of possibility that they may have not considered. I'm not sure I agree with embryo splitting, again I feel this seems to be pushing the limit a bit too far and trying to control creation. IVF makes sense to me, but splitting does not. Though they are different in some ways, the splitting of the embryo is not genetically enhanced and the SCNT is, I still don't feel either is ethically moral.
ReplyDeleteI have never been faced with infertility issues, but my family members have. I have a 14 year old cousin who was born from IVF. My family is Catholic and IVF was morally against what my family stood for. For myself, I do not think there is anything wrong with IVF or delayed twinning, as long as there is enough research. I have heard remarks that IVF is like playing God. If that is the case, then so is keeping someone alive on life support. I believe that Dr. T should act in accordance with the wishes of the couple and embryo splitting is morally defensible.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that Dr. T should act in accordance with the wishes of the couple.everyone in society has rights and should be able to exercise them.
DeleteI never thought of it that way "Playing God". Good point that when we use life support to prolong life it is like the same thing. Create life or Prolong life the same thing?
DeleteI think a comparable could be physician assisted suicide would be comparable to physician assisted creation of life. With either there is no respect for life. I think respecting life is the key. Just my opinion though.
DeleteI have never been faced with infertility issues, but my family members have. I have a 14 year old cousin who was born from IVF. My family is Catholic and IVF was morally against what my family stood for. For myself, I do not think there is anything wrong with IVF or delayed twinning, as long as there is enough research. I have heard remarks that IVF is like playing God. If that is the case, then so is keeping someone alive on life support. I believe that Dr. T should act in accordance with the wishes of the couple and embryo splitting is morally defensible.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I have been faced with fertility issues. When I had my first son it was unexplained infertility so there was no underlying cause to treat. I’m currently pregnant and my fertility was harmed even more after undergoing chemotherapy for lymphoma between pregnancies. I don’t think there is anything morally wrong with conceiving via IVF as I have done this myself. It’s a very personal decision and I have heard every side of the story from strangers and even family members.
ReplyDeleteThis is the first I had learned of delayed twinning. I don’t think this is something I would personally do because I find it strange to have “twins” at different ages. I understand first hand that the cost of the medications and procedures are extremely high and what the woman has to go through as far as side effects and the retrieval process, but I would go through it again before I’d split embryos. I look at IVF as assisting in conception when it won’t happen naturally, but nothing is actually manipulated or changed. I think delayed twinning is taking science a little too far.
God bless you Shelley for the struggles you have been through. What a hard thing to go through. This was obviously a decision that you and your husband felt was right for you and your family. I am happy for you to be blessed with the gift of a child.
DeleteIVF is a wonderful option , I think delayed twinning just takes it once step further. While I wouldn't choose this option for myself, I do respect other's freedom to chose what is best for them.
DeleteI had no idea delayed twinning existed. I find this odd, but I believe Dr. T should grant the wishes of the couple. If science is capable of providing this procedure, they should have the right to make that decision. I think embryo splitting is morally defensible as an adjunct to IVF. Medical ethics will continue to be questioned with the enhancement of scientific discoveries. I had trouble conceiving all three of my children. We never had to go through IVF, but used drugs to induce ovulation along with artificial insemination. No one understands this concept unless they have been through it. To be told that you have to go to great lengths to have a child is heartbreaking.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree Tricia, I work with these couples on a daily basis and its sad. I am glad there is options out there for them to help them bring the gift of life into the world and become parents. Anything that is medically safe and approved should be granted if agreed upon.
DeleteI agree it would be heart breaking to have to go through such great lengths to have a child. People often say well there is adoption. Yes there is, but sometimes people long to have a biological child of there own and it can be very devastating to be told that will not happen.
DeleteI agree as well . The embryos are theirs do with as they wish. If they understand the process and are willing to do it , I think the physician should follow their wishes.
DeleteI also agree as well. IVF I also believe should be cheaper then for couples that are wishing this treatment.
DeleteI deal with IVF patients very frequently working in Labor and Delivery, and I am completly for this process for a couple who can not concieve on their own. I on the other hand was not aware you could split and embryo into four cells making four babies. I have always heard from my patients about how they were able to retrieve 5-7 eggs and those were placed in petry dishes with a sperm and fertilized and then the couple would pick one to two of the petry dishes to have implanted into the mother. In saying this is this is medically safe than I am all for it and I think that the doctor should educate the parents of any risks in doing this and if they still feel strongly about their dicision then he should follow their wishes.
ReplyDeleteIVF for a couple facing infertility is okay. If the married couple, using their own reproductive systems, uses science to assist in childbearing then it seems responsible. However, the idea of embryo splitting and creating genetically identical persons seems to be taking things too far. I believe God's plan is in place regardless of what the couple wants and if the pregnancies are repeatedly unsuccessful, then adoption could be a wonderful alternative for the couple. I do not feel like any form of cloning or embryo splitting is morally alright. The doctor should act against the wishes of the couple, if that is what he/she believes is morally right. I do not think it is an acceptable alternative to IVF. If it is a legal procedure, the decision is up to the couple and doctor's decision.
ReplyDeleteKelli, I completely agree with you. Having gone through IVF myself, I would have never taken it a step farther to embryo splitting. I actually never even knew this was an option. I believe at some point a couple will have to accept the reality. I also think about the children as they grow up. It would be so weird to have a twin that's 5 years older or younger than yourself. Especially since they would be identical.
DeleteIVF can be a very sensitive subject for many people. Some consider what this couple and doctor are doing as going a nature and trying to play "God". Having a child is a true blessing that I myself have been blessed with twice. I known that it can be a heart breaking struggle for some couples who want children and can not have them on their own. I myself do not see anything wrong with IVF. I think it is a personal decision that a couple must make and there needs to be research and an investment made to come to this decision. I also think that the doctor needs to respect the wishes of the couple. I'm not sure how I feel about delayed twinning. I do think that this is kind of an unnatural act but God did give someone the knowledge to be able to figure out how to recreate human life in this way. Is that wrong? That's a matter of personal opinion and beliefs. There are many people out there so desperate to have a family and children that I'm sure they would go to any measures to be blessed. Even if that means having identical twins that are different ages. I do believe that all events happen for a reason, there is no guarantee that splitting these embryos for delayed twinning would work but if it is possible for this couple and they are informed and willing to proceed then so be it.
ReplyDeleteI agree that these advancements in medicine are practiced and used based on one's own belief system. It should be up to the patient and doctor to determine if that is what is best for their particular situation. The procedures themselves, however, must be ethical and protect the nature of the vulnerable population, i.e the unborn child. I don't think that identical children of different ages is natural. It God had intended for the couple to have identical twins, they would have given birth to them naturally during the same pregnancy.
DeleteI am thrilled to see how far science has come and where it may go. We have opportunity to see some amazing advances and in this case, help someone. Isn't that what good science and technology is all about? Technology has a habit of stagnating every couple of decades. We should embrace what we can learn when the opportunity is there. I think it is simply amazing that an identical twin could be born two years later, or that we can know what disease or disorder we may have in the future. This information gives us the opportunity to make informed decisions. The case of embryo splitting and delayed twinning dies sound a bit like cloning, but this is a unique opportunity. I feel the doctor should go along with the couple's decision as long as no harm will come to them and they are well informed. The advances we will make with stem cells is invaluable. I personally do not feel an embryo in the very early stages is a human organism.
ReplyDeleteCindy, I though the same thing as you. Wow how amazing that science has come this far to help people conceive their own child. I know that there are other options out there for couples but being able to enjoy the 9 months of pregnancy and then the delivery is a wonderful thing that a lot of people don't get to do. I feel like if we can help couples at least attempt to achieve this I think that is what we should do it.
DeleteOK so I'm going to play the devil's advocate. I disagree with the topic that they should even think about delayed twinning. I agree that IVF is definitely an option for couples to take advantage of. It's just science helping the couple conceive a child with their own egg and sperm. Delayed twinning is science helping the couple creat a child. That is immoral. Kant, using his categorical imperative of reason discusses the formula of humanity as an end and says that suicide fails to respect humanity as a duty. With this thought about respecting humanity, I believe it could also be implied that creating life is disrespecting humanity as a duty. Life is sacred and should be respected, this thought is only my old school opinion though.
ReplyDeleteRobin I have to agree with you. I have to objections to using advancement to assist in what would take place naturally, but because of some reason it's not happening. I don't however agree that science should be used to create a clone of a human being that could not naturally take place.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with you guys. I do not agree with cloning. It opens up more problems for disease and illness.
DeleteIt is amazing how far science has come and to think that you could actually have a twin but be different ages is amazing to me. I think that the Dr. should do whatever the couple wishes. As always I think there should be education and referral to a genetics specialist so they know exactly what they are going to do and that they haven't been given any wrong information. If the couple is able to afford to continue doing what they choose to do then they should have available options. I would want whatever options were available to me if I were not able to conceive naturally. I know that some people think that it isn't right to use "artificial" means to conceive a child. But I believe if God didn't want people to use these new techniques he would not have implanted the ideas in the inventor's head to begin with. I don't think that delayed twinning is any less morally problematic than cloning, it is essentially the same thing. I think that embryo splitting would be less moral problematic because I do not believe that at this point the embryo is an organism.
ReplyDeleteThis is very interesting .I had no idea this was even a possibility . I have no problem with the act od delayed twinning. The eggs belong to the couple and I fee it is their right to do with them as they see fit. Dr. T should indeed honor their wishes to proceed with the transfer. I think it can be used as an adjunct to IVF and embryo transfer and may possibly give the couple success. The question of whether it is less morally problematic , I say yes. This is not creating a human from a somatic cell where the being is produced asexually . This is a naturally conceived human , with the correct parts and ability to reproduce and divide without outside manipulation .
ReplyDeleteI had no idea this was even possible. I agree with IVF for couples that are unable to have a child naturally. However, I don't know if I totally agree with this form of splinting cells is really morally acceptable. I personally would not do it but I feel that if a couple wants this for themselves they should have the option. I do think that Dr T should honor their wishes. He should give them education regarding risk of this treatment.
ReplyDeleteThe problem is do we fully know what these risks are?
DeleteI had no idea this was gong on! There is so much to consider. I truly believe life begins at conception so I believe the embryos are 'alive'. I think in the context of what is good and even moral for Karen and Roger T, this may qualify. It seems clear their goal is to conceive. However, I would worry that there are times the process of delayed twinning could be used for unethical and possible illegal reasons. what if parents want to save embryos in the event the child or children that were born need maybe a kidney? I know that sounds more like a horror movie, but what if? I think there are times that advances are made without looking fully into all possibilities as to how that new technology will be used to benefit, let alone how it could be harmful. That being said, I think IVF is a great advancement and has helped so many become parents, when two generations ago, they would have likely remained childless.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you regarding IVF. My question is though when IVF first was brought to the public were these same questions regarding ethics and morality asked of it?
Delete
ReplyDeleteI was not aware that delayed twinning existed. I think that there is nothing wrong with IVF for couples struggling with infertility. My husband and I have faced infertility first hand. I have know since an early age that I would not be able to carry a child. IVF was not something we wanted to consider as we would need to utilize a surrogate. While pregnancy is usually safe we were concerned with the possible risks to the health of a surrogate and opted to adopt instead. I believe that IVF is fine and could be looked at as “assistance” with conception, I believe that embryo splitting and cloning cross the line and are not okay.
I do not believe that Dr. T should act in accordance with the couples wishes. I feel that IVF is moral medical choice but delayed twinning is not. IVF is fertilization of eggs that could have been fertilized naturally. Delayed twinning is altering these eggs. I do not think that delayed twinning and embryo splitting is any less problematic than cloning. Each procedure has its own moral dilemmas. It is hard to say what is safe for embryos that are born into children if there are long term effects from altering natures course. In the realm of science these procedures are new and have been tested with farm animals. I do not believe we should be ready as a society to take these same risks with infants and children.
ReplyDelete