Adults disregard children’s rights by falsely claiming surrogacy as a right
The Michigan House passed the Assisted Reproduction and Surrogacy Parentage Act, HBs 5207-5215, on Nov. 9, 2023. These bills aim to legalize surrogacy in Michigan and establish parentage rights for children born through reproductive technologies.
Supporters of these bills argue that legalizing surrogacy in Michigan will protect children by eliminating the need for intended parents to go out of state or adopt their surrogate-born child. However, the real issue lies in the vulnerability of children created through IVF and surrogacy. The desire to become parents at any cost often overshadows the well-being of these children.
Reproductive technologies like IVF and surrogacy involve the commodification and destruction of embryonic human beings, denying children their natural right to their biological parents.
Preimplantation Screenings
Blastocysts (early embryos) are selected for transfer based on their likelihood of successful implantation in the womb through a process called Preimplantation Genetic Screening. This screening not only assesses the chances of implantation and miscarriage but also detects potential birth defects and chromosomal abnormalities.
Viability of embryos is primarily determined through visual inspection, which is an imperfect method. According to former embryologist Dr. Craig Turczynski, “The current method of evaluating viability is based on visual inspection and we have some ideas of what makes a viable embryo, but it is imperfect… The field has used PGD [Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis] to try and confirm viability but even that is being questioned now because of the embryo’s capacity to self-correct by pushing abnormal cells to the placenta.”
Due to the imperfections of these screenings, false positives can occur, leading to the discarding of normal embryos. Embryologists at the Center for Human Reproduction have witnessed failed IVF attempts with embryos initially declared “normal,” and thousands of babies have been born from embryos that were deemed “abnormal.”
Dr. Turczynski further states, “There are cases that should have resulted in pregnancy and didn’t… Embryos that by all conventional measures should never have resulted in a baby, and yet they did. These types of embryos were the only ones available and if they had been subjected to selection by a trained eye, they would have been discarded.” The uncertainty of embryo viability should not justify treating them as commodities in the pursuit of having a surviving child.
The practice of determining which human beings are unworthy of life for convenience is fueled by a cultural mindset. Various biotechnology polls from multiple countries show that a significant percentage of society supports manipulating human cells to prevent the inheritance of nonfatal diseases and improve physical characteristics.
Likelihood of Live Birth
Even if an embryo is deemed “desirable,” the chances of survival until birth are still low. Only 7 percent of lab-created children actually make it to birth. Studies have shown that the number of eggs frozen during the egg-freezing process directly impacts the chances of live birth. For women under 30, each egg retrieved has an 8.67% chance of resulting in a child, while for women over 40, that chance drops to less than 3% per egg. This means that older women need to freeze significantly more eggs to achieve a 50% estimated live birth rate compared to younger women.
It is important to consider the number of children who actually survive the IVF process before advocating for its widespread use.
The Fate of Frozen Embryos
In 2019, Turczynski revealed data from the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology, stating that out of 2,183,598 embryos, only about 55,000 babies are born each year. This leaves over 2 million embryos that are either stored in cryostorage, used for research, or discarded as medical waste. Between 48 and 85 percent of these embryos are cryopreserved, but many of them are eventually abandoned. They remain in suspended animation indefinitely or are used for research.
For the “lucky” embryos that make it out of cryopreserve, the journey is far from over. With an estimated 1 million frozen embryos in the U.S. alone, the question arises: what are the chances of survival during the thawing process? A study on 6,019 frozen embryos found that 95 percent survived the thawing process. However, this still leaves around 300 human beings who do not survive. Even for the embryos that do thaw successfully, there is the risk of collapse and uncertainty about their viability. The transfer process itself is a game of chance, and if the embryos successfully implant, they are still at risk of being aborted.
The Trauma of Separation
Surrogacy introduces a complex dynamic where one woman is split into three “optional” roles: the genetic mother (egg donor), the birth mother (surrogate), and the social mother (daily maternal presence). This separation of roles can have profound effects on the child. Studies have shown that maternal separation, a feature of surrogacy, is a major physiological stressor for infants. Even brief maternal deprivation can permanently alter the structure of the infant brain. It can lead to increased stress hormones, decreased immune function, mental health problems, learning difficulties, and impaired capacity to form intimate relationships.
Furthermore, children born to women who experience dissociation during pregnancy, a requirement for surrogacy, can develop more physical and emotional problems than those born to mentally healthy women.
Olivia Auriol, who was born via surrogacy, emphasizes the bond between a baby and its mother during the nine months of gestation. She highlights the trauma of asking a newborn to be detached from the mother who nourished it in the womb.
The Lifelong Identity Crisis
Children have a natural right to be raised by their biological mothers and fathers, the only two individuals responsible for their existence and the only parents from whom they inherit their unique genealogical identities. Being raised by one’s biological parents is crucial for establishing a child’s identity and development. The dual-gender influence present in the mother/father partnership plays a vital role in raising well-rounded children, teaching emotional regulation, and instilling the value of risk-taking.
Conceiving children through gamete donation significantly impacts the rights of these children by denying them the right to their biological parents. This denial leads to struggles with a vague or nonexistent genetic identity and various psychological and emotional challenges.
Donor-Conceived Children and the Impact of Reproductive Technologies
Did you know that over 80 percent of donor-conceived children have a strong desire to know the identity of their biological parents? It’s true! But unfortunately, these children often face unique challenges when it comes to their identity, mental health, and overall well-being.
In a fascinating study conducted with young adults conceived through sperm donation, researchers discovered some eye-opening insights. More than half of donor-conceived adults admitted to wondering if their sperm donor’s family would want to know them. And a staggering 65 percent agreed that their sperm donor is a significant part of their identity. These individuals also expressed concerns about the financial aspects of their conception and felt that they were often misunderstood as they grew up.
It’s important to recognize that the reproductive technology industry is a massive multibillion-dollar industry that profits from the commodification of human lives. While many may view these technologies as simply a means of creating new life, the reality is that millions of children are sacrificed in the process, all in the name of adults’ perceived “right” to have children.
When society starts treating children as commodities and objects to be bought and sold, it’s a clear indication that something is fundamentally wrong. Bills like HBs 5207-5215, which aim to regulate reproductive technologies, are essential to protect the natural rights of children. These laws should not be seen as promoting inequality but rather as safeguards against the injustices faced by the most vulnerable members of our society.
How does the commodification and destruction of embryonic human beings in reproductive technologies raise ethical concerns?
No knowledge of their biological parents? This is a startling statistic that highlights the impact of reproductive technologies on the identity and well-being of children.
Donor-conceived children are those who are conceived using donated eggs, sperm, or embryos. While these technologies may offer hope and opportunities for individuals and couples struggling with infertility, they also raise important ethical and moral questions.
Children have a natural right to know and be raised by their biological parents. This is not only important for their sense of identity but also for their emotional and psychological development. The bond between a child and their biological parents is unique and cannot be replicated by any other relationship.
However, reproductive technologies like IVF and surrogacy disrupt this natural bond. They introduce third-party individuals into the conception and gestation process, effectively separating the child from their biological parents. This denial of the right to one’s biological origins can cause confusion, identity issues, and a lifelong sense of loss in donor-conceived children.
Furthermore, the commodification and destruction of embryonic human beings involved in these technologies cannot be ignored. The process of selecting embryos based on their likelihood of successful implantation and viability raises ethical concerns. The imperfections of preimplantation screenings can result in the discarding of normal embryos and the transfer of abnormal ones.
Additionally, the low chances of survival for lab-created children and the significant number of frozen embryos left in cryostorage or used for research emphasize the ethical dilemmas surrounding reproductive technologies. We cannot ignore the fact that many embryos are discarded as medical waste or remain in suspended animation indefinitely.
Surrogacy, in particular, introduces a complex dynamic where one woman is split into three roles – the genetic mother, the birth mother, and the social mother. This separation of roles can have profound effects on the child, including increased stress hormones, mental health problems, and impaired capacity to form intimate relationships.
The desire to become parents should not overshadow the well-being and rights of the children involved. While the legalization of surrogacy may provide convenience for intended parents, it does not address the underlying issues of vulnerability and commodification of children created through reproductive technologies.
It is crucial for society to have a thorough and thoughtful discussion about the ethical implications of these technologies. We need to prioritize the well-being and rights of children over the desires of adults. Only then can we create a system that truly protects and respects the rights of all involved parties.
In conclusion, the legalization of surrogacy and the use of reproductive technologies in Michigan may offer hope and opportunities for intended parents. However, it is important to consider the ethical concerns and the potential impact on the well-being and rights of the children involved. We must prioritize the natural right of children to know and be raised by their biological parents and ensure that their best interests are always at the forefront of any legislation or decision regarding reproductive technologies.
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