Blame Game or Solution?

Here are two sensitive, complex cases about innocent children. As good natured humans, we try our level best to do the right thing, but what happens when something goes awry like a bad science fiction story? Do we resolve to BLAME GAMES or look for a SOLUTION?

Case 1 : IVF Child Stranded

In a recent case of in vitro fertilization (IVF), a US couple was having a child in India through IVF and surrogacy. As per media reports, the plan was to use the husband’s sperm, an anonymous egg donor and surrogate which would mean the only DNA connection is with the father. As per US immigration laws, a child born outside the US must have a “biological link” to one parent in order to be allowed to come to the US immediately. As it were, there was an accident and a happy moment turned into a horror story. The IVF clinic accidentally swapped the samples and therefore rendering the innocent IVF child with NO BIOLOGICAL CONNECTION with the US couple. They would fail a DNA test and the innocent child is stranded. Whose fault is it? Is it the innocent IVF child’s fault? Is it the loving commissioning parent’s fault? Is it the IVF clinic’s fault? Is it the medical professionals fault?

Instead of playing the BLAME GAME, it is important to recognize that to err is human. And accidents happen. Now we must move forward, provide a solution and a legal recourse in the best interest of the child. Or is it?

Case 2: IVF Child Abused

In another case, an IVF child also born in India, was taken to the US and attempted breastfeeding by a genetic male while on female hormonal treatment. The issue is there was no lactation and the innocent IVF infant was left to cry incessantly as he was hungry. The issue is not the “attempt to breastfeed” by a genetic male, the issue is refusal to feed a hungry infant through alternative means. Is that child abuse? Is it the innocent child’s fault? Is it the genetic male’s fault for trying to breastfeed? Do we blame a group of the society at large who place too much importance on motherhood = breastfeeding? Should gay couples be allowed to breastfeed their children? Is it the medical professionals fault for not taking scientific facts into account of the competing effects of female hormonal treatment AND lactational hormones?

Instead of playing the BLAME GAME, it is important to recognize that to err is human. And accidents happen. Now we must move forward, provide a solution and NEVER subject another voiceless infant to hunger just to satisfy a genetic male under medication wishlist of breastfeeding.

Case 3 : IVF Debate – Personal or Public Policy Issue?

Being gay is a personal issue but gay rights is a public policy issue. Opting for IVF is a personal issue but IVF child rights is a public policy issue.

The perils of IVF are many. The perils of HUMAN CLONING are many. As a society, while we run to help infertile people to have a child through IVF, have all different scenarios been accounted for and appropriate LAWS been passed protecting the basic human rights of ALL? Or are we just moving the cheese?

We look for SOLUTIONS as we go to the next frontier, where no human may have gone before. We bring with us our heart, our mind, and all sum of our knowledge as a humankind to put our best foot forward.