Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Ah, OctoMom

What is it about you lady? Rationally I agree with the people who say you are irresponsible and selfish. I don't agree with the death threats and rage. I do agree that you may be some kind of deep crazy.

And yet, I feel like I understand.

I want to defend your right to have babies because mine has been stripped from me.

I repent

Silent judgements of others I have said to myself:

If you want a baby so bad just adopt.

I don't understand why they don't just do IVF

I would never do IVF that many times

I wonder why they only have _ kids.

Why would you have your kids so close together

Why would you have your kids so far apart

I will never be one of those people who let money stand in the way of having babies or adopting

If I had kids I wouldn't work unless I had to

I'm glad she had a miscarriage; someone needed to pop her bubble

I would never be so lazy about infertility treatments. It's like they don't even care

You were never infertile, just obsessed/impatient

If I had been going through this as long as she has I would be more open about it

I can't stand how much she talks about her infertility. Cry me a river. Get a hobby

Her doctor is an idiot and she is too for believing him

Educate yourself. This stuff is on the internet

I would never go to a quack like that

I would never do superovulation shots

I would never implant more than two embryos

I would never use donor eggs

I would never use a surrogate

I would never reduce my pregnancy

I would never want just one or two kids.

I would never decide not to have kids

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Ding Dong the Witch is Dead

I just watched an episode of PBS's Frontline on Parkinson's Disease. And it got me all riled up again. I am a huge proponent of Federal Funding of stem cell research, but by no means am I an expert. However, of all the arguments for stem cell research I have heard, I have never heard anyone speak from my perspective.

When a women goes through IVF multiple embryos may be created, and usually only 1 or 2 will be implanted. The remainder are frozen. Many times these precious embryos are thawed and implanted at a later time. It is possible, (and commonplace) for a woman to have all the children she was meant to have, and still have frozen embryos. Her choices would be to have the embyos destroyed, pay a yearly rental fee for perpetuity, or (?) she could somehow find a private foundation to give her embryos to?

I feel like the President's ban came from a genuine respect for embryonic stem cells' potential to create human life. But is there anyone, ANYONE who respects that potential more than the "parents" of the cells.

When a human can no longer live, our society views organ donation as an honorable, meaningful last gift. Though embryos have the potential to become human life, without a womb to grow in, they are essentially, dead. If I had leftover embryos I would want those special cells be used for stem cell research. I would feel like their brief "life" would have more meaning if used fostering hope for cures for diseases than sitting around in cryogenic freezer until I, or they die. I wish there were more options...

Oh wait! There is one more option for the leftover embryos: In 2006 George Bush had a primetime news conference explaining why the 1st veto he issued in his presidency was to again shoot down federal stem cell research funding. His solution to the problem? Give away your embryos! Allow other people to raise your biological children that you don't want!

I must say that I ABSOLUTELY respect people who have made this decision. I think it is brave and selfless, and if it was right for you: right on. However, H and I were completely appalled that this was our president's grand solution. I would feel morally corrupt to have my flesh and blood being raised by another person. The very idea shakes me to the core. George Bush's arrogance and nonchalance on the issue shakes me to the core. He treated the issue as if it were no different than deciding to donate blood to the Red Cross.

I believe the President's intentions may have been earnest, but when he limited stem cell research funding back in 2001 I feel our nation took a major step backwards.

I look forward to Barrack Obama lifting the ban, and I must also give credit to John McCain, who promised to lift the ban if elected. (Palin, however supports the ban. boooooo!). I am so happy to move on and forward. Adios George.