Interactive Case for October-November
2001
One of your close friends is going to a fertility clinic that
specializes in assisted reproduction by in vitro fertilization. In this technique,
sperm are used to fertilize eggs outside the human body, and then the fertilized
eggs (embryos) are implanted in the woman. Because the procedure is inefficient,
extra embryos always are prepared. Before the clinic begins treatment, patients
are asked to decide what they would like done with any embryos left over after
treatment. Here are choices that have been offered to
your friend:
1) Save the extra embryos for possible implantation in the
future.
2) Donate them to another person.
3) Throw them away.
4) Use them for research aimed at making in vitro fertilization
safer and more efficient for other women in the future.
Your friend has asked for your advice regarding what to do
with her leftover embryos. What do you think? What are your reasons for accepting
or rejecting the different options?
Dear Students,
Thank your for your thoughtful and interesting commentaries. We received responses
from 181 students representing 18 different schools. As your problem mentioned,
patients at a fertility clinic are required to sign a consent form to specify
what option they wish to use for any excess embryos -- save them, donate them,
throw them away, or use them for research. The patients can change this consent
at any time if they change their minds. Those of you who expressed a strong
opinion said:
A. Save them, 40%
B. Donate them, 17%
C. Throw them away, 3%
D. Use them for research, 28%
Comparing the options separately, 60% of you were willing to consider options
A, B, or D, but 60% of you definitely opposed throwing the embryos away.
The opinion of ethicists about use of embryos usually depends on how they view
the embryo's "personhood." There are four common views, which are held very
strongly by different people with different backgrounds.
1) The embryo is a person.
2) The embryo is a potential person and should be thought of as a "pre-embryo"
until brought into circumstances (implantation in a women) in which it can achieve
its full potential.
3) One cannot say when the embryo becomes a person, but at least it doesn't
happen before day 14 after fertilization because the embryo can still develop
into twins up until that day.
4) Embryos do not have personhood but deserve our respect.
Those who believe that the embryo is a person sometimes oppose in vitro fertilization
because they do not want to see the inevitable outcome that some embryos will
be destroyed. They almost certainly oppose research with embryos. On the other
hand, those who have less strong opinions about the embryo's personhood tend
to view the options more in terms of risks and benefits of particular choices.
For instance, stem cell research has been intensely debated with those in favor
arguing that the potential benefit of curing disease outweighs the risk of disrespect
to the embryo.
For fertility clinics, the biggest dilemma often is embryo abandonment. Embryos
have been left in some storage facilities for up to 15 years. Once the clinic
can no longer contact the patient, what can they do? Many clinics continue to
save these embryos, and some people think that there are over 100,000 or more
embryos in storage in the United States.
Student Comments:
11/05/01
If my friend asked me what she should do with the frozen zygote I would tell her
all the different views of each of the choices. For instance, if she decided to
save the embryos for possible implantation in the future, I would explain to her
that if she was really considering going through the procedure again, then that
would be the best way to go. However, if she was sure that she wasn't going to
do the procedure again then I think that it would be best for her to go with another
option. I think personally that if she was not going to store it for later use,
that she should go with either donating them to another person or donating them
to research. I think by donating them to another person would be totally on her
because if the implanting of the zygote is not successful with her then I don't
think that she would want to donate the eggs to another person, because then it
might be successful in another woman and it will leave my friend to think that
that woman
A.MC.
Plano West
11/02/01
i believe that if a friend came to me and told me that the embryos could either
go to the garbage or to the science center, i would tell them to give them to
science. the women could benefit from finding new ways to safely implant them
and maybe reinvent them if the neccessity should arise. giving the embryos to
science is a good idea and should be an option but should be thought of more seriously.
jms
mansfield high school
10/31/01
I think that they should donate their left over embryos to another personl. There
is always someone out there who would like a child of their own and if is the
only way they can do it i think the person with the left over embryos should help
them out.
mansfiel high school
10/31/01
Genetical engineering is under current investigation. I strongly oppose this
issue. Picking out a child's traits should not be allowed. Although scientists
claim that it will prevent the inheritance of several genetical diseases, it
will also destroy individualism in our society today. The world would be very
boring if everyone had perfect genes. In the engineering process, there is also
risk involved that someone could make a mistake and cause mutated children to
be born. Aside from this, it is against the Christian belief. God should be
the One in charge of genetical engineering and no one else. I hope that more
people will speak out against this issue in the future.
C.M.
Mansfield High School
10/31/01
I would definitely advise her not to throw them away, because there is obviously
other uses for them. If she knew that she might want more children in the future,
I'd tell her to save them for herself, but some people want only one child, or
they don't want to go through the emotional and financial stress it involves a
second time. Donation is always a good option, but I'm always pushing for scientific
research, and would likely tell her to donate them for said research.
K. A. S.
Mansfield High School
10/31/01
If my friend were in this situation I would tell her to donate her eggs. I
would tell her to donate because she has no other use for them and it would
be pointless to just throw the eggs away. If she donated them to science the
research could help scientists to understand more about the process of vitro
fertilization.
KP
Mansfield High School
10/31/01
If I had to give my friend advice on this situation, I would tell her to save
the embryos for future children. One option that is not acceptable would be to
throw the eggs away. I feel that this is wrong because the embryos are the begining
stages of human life. Another option would be to donate the eggs to another woman,
so that she could have children. I do not think that this is right because I would
not be able to handle another person raising my own flesh and blood. The last
option to donate the embryos to research. I think this is questionable, because
although this would make the process of in-vitro fertilization more efficient,
I think it is wrong to do research on any human even if their life has just begun.
A.P.
10/31/01
If a good friend came to me and asked me for advice about what she should do about
the embryos that she did not use I would first tell her that this is just my opinion
and I wont judge her on the choices she makes. I would tell her that I know that
this is an emotional ordeal, but that we need to look at each angle and see the
pros and the cons from each choice. I think that saving the unused embryos is
a great idea, if you are planning to have more children in the future. If you
are spending the money now for this procedure to be done you might as well not
waste any of it. If you do not want to have, children saving the embryos for possible
future implantation may not be the best solution. Donating the extra embryos to
another person would be good because you are allowing someone else to have a baby
of their own. On the flip side of this choice, someone else would be raising your
flesh and blood. You would have to continue to deal with that for the rest of
your life on a day to day basis. Although it would be on you mind you still might
be strong enough to give your embryos to someone in need. The next choice possibility
is throwing them away. I feel that this is ludicrous. If no one else will take
them research could use them for many useful things. This is not a choice that
I would consider. The fourth and final possibility is to donate the remaining
embryos not used by the procedure to research. I think that is a great idea with
many pros. By doing this you will be saving other parents from going through this
experience of deciding what to do with your extra embryos. Donating your embryos
can result in many good things for mankind. Everyday doctors and scientists find
out a little bit more of the puzzle of life and it would not be happening as rapidly
if we did not have women donating their embryos. I would make sure that my friend
knew that I support her one hundred percent in whatever she decides to do. This
would be a very difficult question but I do think that if I had extra embryos
I would defiantly donate them to research.
EP
Mansfield High
10/31/01
My friend should either save the embryos for future implantation in the future
or give the embryos to another couple that wants to have children but cannot.
If she wanted to have children in the future, she could have more that way, or
another couple that wanted children could have one and care for a child that they
have been longingfor. I do not think she should just throw the embryos away. The
value of human life is too great and precious for that. My personal beliefs are
against killing embryos. If she wants to, she could donate the embryos to science
in order to help couples that want to have children. This would be beneficial
so that one day, as technology and our understanding of life becomes better, this
question type would become irrelevant, so only one egg would be needed instead
of many.
MCY
10/30/01
If my friend were to ask for my advise in this situation I would tell her to save
the embryos for her future use. Even if she thought she would never want another
child she could change her mind in the future. If she still did not want them
then I would tell her to let another woman who wanted a child use them. If she
still did not agree then I would advise her to give them up for research but strongly
disapprove, and finally if she thought is were necessary to through them away
but it would be a waste of life.
TE
Mansfield High School
10/30/01
The advice that I would lean towards would be to donate her leftover embryo to
research so that vitro fertilization can be more efficient and extra embryos would
not be needed, therefore eliminating this same problem in the future. But I would
also advise my friend to leave the option of donating the embryo to another person
or keep them for possible implantation in the future. That way someone who cannot
have a child can now have one or if something goes wrong in my friend's first
implantation she will have a back up. Whatever she wants is up to her, but that
is mai advice.
NN
MHS
10/30/01
I would tell her to either keep the embryos for her own future, or donate them
to another couple that may not be able to have children. In my opinion, throwing
the embryos away or giving them to science would be just plain murder. If the
egg is fertilized, then it is already on its way to becoming a human life, and
killing it would just be wrong.
CR
Mansfield High
10/30/01
I would try and be supportive of my friend, whatever she decided, but i would
try and convince her that saving the embryos for research would be the best choice.
In vitro fertilization is still a somewhat risky procedure, and anything that
could be done to try and improve the field of in vitro fertilization should be
done. Perhaps it could be improved to the extent that only one embryo is needed,
and this wouldn't be a problem for families in the future.
WS
Mansfield High School
10/30/01
This is a very important decision for my friend to make. I would first tell my
friend that it is most important to keep others' benefit in mind. In saying that,
donating the extra embryos to another person or using them for research at making
in vitro fertilization safer and more efficient for other women would be my suggestion
to my friend. Obviously, I would not tell my friend to throw the extra embryos
away, because these embryos could be used in research to make further assisted
reproduction safer and more appealing to women in the future. Also, this decision
would not be an option if my friend believes that life starts at the embryo.
BDCS
10/30/01
First of all, I would not recommend in vitro fertilization to my friend at all.
But if they were going to do it and they had to choose between those options I
would tell them to keep the extra embryos for possible implantation in the future
or donate them to another person. I would definately discourage against throwing
them away. An embryo is a living being and all life should be treated with respect.
I would not use them for research just as I would not permit a living human being
to be experimented on. The above posistions are based on the fact that life is
a precious thing and the viability and life of the embryos should be preserved
at all costs.
J.S.
MHS
10/30/01
I would telll my friend that she should keep the embryos if she wanted to have
children in the future. If she was sure that she was sure that she didn't want
anymore children I would tell her either to donate them to another couple or to
research. Personally, I would only give them to a couple if I knew the couple.
The reason I would do this is because i would know where the kid would go, and
that it would be a good family. If I didn't know of a couple that wanted to do
in vitro fertilization I would donate the eggs to science, because in the future
it could help more people. I would not throw away the embryos because it has so
much ability to help people, and people should always give when they can.
S.C
MHS
10/30/01
To start off with I would inform my friend that this is just advice and that she
did not have to do anything that I say. Then I would tell her my opinion, I believe
that she should keep her embroys for later use. There is always a possible that
it will not be successful the first time and that she would need her embroys.
Also, if she wanted to have another child the embroys are already saved for her.
Donating to someone else is the next best possibility. I do not think it is right
just to throw them away if you are going to do that then why not just donate them
for research.
BW
Mansfield High School
10/30/01
I would suggest that she either save them for possible use in the future or donate
them to someone else. The reason for saving them is that if, by chance, it does
not work the first time you always can try again. Also if there is a chance they
may want more than one child, it is a good idea to have that available for use.
By donating them to someone else you are giving that person a chance they not
be able to have without your help. I would not suggest throwing them away, because
it seems like a waste. There are so many people who would kill for that opportunity
by throwing them away you are taking it away from someone. I also would not suggest
saving them for research to make in vitro fertilization safer simply because it
seems like you are turning your child into a lab rat. There is no way to know
what is going to happen to your specific embryo, and the risk isn't worth it.
10/30/01
I think that the embryos should be donated so that they can help make the procedure
more accurate (this means that less extra embryos would need to be prepared in
the future) and safer (so that it would not cause any implications). The embryos
(in my opinion) are not alive until after the first trimester. So...you would
not be taking away a life.
M.S.
MHS
10/30/01
In this situation, I would advise my friend to keep the extra embryos for herself
in case something were to go wrong with the procedure or she decided to have more
children in the future. Donating them to another family is also a good option.
Throwing them away and donating them to science sounds like a form of abortion
though. Some say life begins at conception and this procedure is basically conception
outside of the body. Once these eggs are concepted they have a potential of life.
By donating them to science or throwing them away kills that potential life. Throwing
these eggs away should definitely be last option. I would encourage my friend
to make donating them to science her next to last option. If she can use these
eggs later or if another family can use these eggs to create life then she should
take that option.
10/30/01
In this situation I would advise my friend to either donate them to another person
or save them for possible use in the future for herself. I think throwing them
away would not only be a waste but would also go against my morals. If she didn't
want either of the first two options, I would advise her to donate them for research
as a last resort before throwing them away. I don't believe the embryos should
be experimented with instead of used for a needy couple, but it would be more
beneficial than wasting them.
BL
MHS
10/29/01
I would tell my friend to either donate the extra eggs to a research facility
or to another family. Throwing them out would be a waste. If you donated them
to science, scientists might come up with ways to make use of them that would
help many other people. Donating them to another woman would be a good option
also because not everyone is able to have children and would probably be very
greatful for the oppurtunity.
BB
MHS
10/29/01
personally, i feel that any of the options are okay, except throwing away the
extra embryos. for some one that finds abortion wrong, throwing the embryos away
is morally unacceptable. it would be more beneficial to save them for future use
or help another couple trying to have children of their own. i don't especially
like thinking of them being tested on for science, but at least more knowledge
on in vitro fertilization could be found.
J.S.
BDHS
10/29/01
In the best interest of my friend. I would back what ever decision she makes but
in my honest opinion. I would strongly advice her to keep some of the remaining
embryos for herself incase the initial in vitro fertilization does not succeed
as a secondary backup, and to donate the remaining embryos not used to benefit
medical research.
O.N.
M.H.S.
10/29/01
In this situation my advice to a friend would be to either keep the embryos or
to donate them to someone else who has the desire to have a child. Throwing them
away is not an option because I consider an embryo to be a child and that would
be killing, I would also advise against donation to science for experimentation
on the same grounds. Keeping the embryos would make it possible for my friend
to have children in the future if the the first try did not work. Donating the
embryos is also alright because if a couple wants to have a child badly enough
to go through in vitro fertilization I consider that a sign that they are commited
to providing a good life and loving environment for the child.
CS
MHS
10/29/01
I would explain to my friend that saving the eggs for further study to make the
process more safe and efficcant for other people would be the best way to go.
Her second option would be to save the eggs in case she would want to use them
again later to become pregnant. The most important thing that I would tell her
is that throwing away her eggs would be the absolute worse thing that she could
do. I believe any scientist or physician who goes by the Hypocratic oath would
say the same thing. For it states to Do No Harm!
10/29/01
If my friend were to ask me what she should do with the rest of her embryo, I
would first tell her that she did not have to take my advice, that it was all
her decision. I would then tell her that she should save some of the embryos,
in case she wanted to have more children at a different time. I would then suggest
that she give some of the embryos to a women who needed them. I have not had children
yet, but most women say that having children is a wonderful experience. I think
my friend should let another women have a chance at motherhood. If my friend was
sure she didn't want any more children, and she didn't want another women to have
her embryos, I would tell her to donate them for research. I would never tell
my friend to throw the embryos away like they were trash. Throwing the embryo
away is killing them, and that is just like abortion, and I am against abortion.
AP
Mansfield High School
10/29/01
I would tell my friend to what ever she did, that she shouldn't throw the embryos
away. I would consider that close to abortion. I would tell her what I would do
in a situation and hope that she will be able to make her own dicision. I would
in my case save the extra embryos for later implantation or donate them to another
person.
AC
Mansfield HS
10/29/01
I would tell my friend that if it were me in this case, I would give them to another
mother. I think that it would give those unfortunate people who cannot have children,
a chance to try and experience that miracle. It would be a great opertunity to
start a family.
CAZ
BDHS
10/28/01
I think that my friend should give her fertilized eggs to research. She should
not give it to another couple because it is her child, and she would have no way
of knowing what kind of parents they would be to her child. I personally would
not want total strangers raising my child. If she were to give her eggs to research
she could enhance and make the invitro fertilization for efficient. In the end,
she would be helping other couples with invitro fertilization.
BDCS
10/28/01
If I were to give advice to a friend in this situation I would suggest that she
save a few fertilized eggs, just in case the in vitro fertilization does not work
the first time. As for the rest of the fertilized eggs I would suggest that she
donate them to research to try to make in vitro fertilization safer and more efficient
for other women. In my opinion it would be more productive to give her extra fertilized
eggs to research. I would tell her that if she were not going to use the eggs,
than she should try to benefit others. I would tell her that by giving the eggs
to research she would be helping more couples and if she was given the chance
to help others she should, she should not just throw them away.
10/28/01
I would begin by asking my friend if there was any other way for her to have children,
for instance adoption. Then, if my friend thought that she must do this in order
to have children, I would tell her to allow the extra embryos be experimented
on to other future mothers. She would be helping others by letting them find a
safer more efficient way in doing this procedure. Throwing them away is like throwing
away a possible chance at life.
MAF
BDHS
10/28/01
Definitely one option that should ruled out is throwing away the embryos. Throwing
the embryos would be unfair to her and to many others that may benefit from the
embryos. It's just like having a plate full of delicious food in front of you.
And by your side is a starving individual who hasn't eaten a scrap in several
days; you're full and you throw the food away. If she wants more children then
she should save them for herself. If she has not decided or does not want any
more children, she should either donate them or allow the embryos to be used for
research.
O.O.A
Bishop Dunne High School
10/28/01
In a case like the one my supposed friend could be facing, I would suggest that
she donate the embryos to another woman. It is very tragic when those embryos
are wasted, or thrown away. An embryo is a living zygote ready for the process
of becoming a child. To throw them away would be useless because it would not
benefit anyone, and it would not make her a better person. If she donated them
to further research to make vitro fertilization safer and more efficient she would
be allowing her embryos to be played with, examined, and tested; not developed
into the lovely child they could become. Obviously I take the more moral side
of the situation, but also ethically giving embryos to another woman is a relief
to some. It would help them in the process of having a child, in a case where
they may not be able to produce enough eggs, or there could be a scarcity of sperm.
Simply my friend would be spared the regret of having done the wrong thing; she
could be sure that no harm would come to the embryos, that ar
S.A.
B.D.H.S.
10/28/01
This basically boils down to the decesion on where life begins. Does it begin
at the zygote, or does it begin when the embryo takes on functions of its own.
In my opinion it beings when the cells start deviding and becoming speciallized.
On this situation we are given the choices to save them, donate them, destroy
them or do research on them. In my opinion the second choice is best, the first
choice is almost as good, the fourth choice is questionable, and the third choice
is in my view out of the question. The first two preserve the life, and the last
two destroy it. The only reason I believe that the last one, to do research should
be left open, is because in some cases one may only have the choice to destroy
them, and this in my opinion is the lesser of the two evils. My advice would be
to consider the first two, because in these ways life will not be destroyed and
is therefore better than any of the other options.
B.R.
BDHS
10/28/01
My advice that I would give to my friend is to let them use them for research
aimed at making in vitro fertilzation safer and more eficient for other women
in the future. Why? Because if they are to run tests, and make it safer for women
then the process would be more safer. Rather than throwing them away. And if they
did do tests then they would know wether they could donate the eggs to another
women or save them for possible implantation.
MB
10/28/01
My first reaction when seeing the options was to donate them to another woman
who may not be able to have children herself, because so many woman want so desperately
to have children and are not able to. By donating it she could make a woman's
dream come true. But, all of the options are good besides throwing them away.
That wouldn't be helpful to anyone, even the friend. If the friend was planning
on having more children if this process is successful I would advise her to keep
them for future implantations. That would be the most logical choice in that situation.
If she was only planning on having one child, I would suggest either donating
them to someone else, or allowing the embyro to under research to make in vitro
fertilization more safe and efficient. But if her first in vitro is successful
than I would lean more towards donating them to another woman to allow her to
have children of her own.
JK
BDHS
10/28/01
If my friend came and asked for my advice on this subject I would tell her to
donate them to research so that this procedure can become easier to use. I would
advise her to donate them because if she did then she can be a part in helping
other women. This would help other women because it would make it easier in the
future for other women unable to become pregnant. This process would allow for
research so that other women can benefit from all of the information obtained
from this research. The research can help to make the process safer for the woman
by taking away some of the risks involved with it. It could also lead to better
efficency, meaning that there will be a higher chance of pregnancy the first time.
I would definitely tell my friend to donate them to research so that she can help
other women fulfill their dreams.
B.P.P.
Bishop Dunne Catholic School
10/28/01
This is a very controversial question in these times. I would have to say that
I would recommend that my friend would give the eggs to science, or give them
to another family/woman. No benefits come from tossing the embryos out, and what
is the likelihood that she would need the embryos in the future? I believe that
the extra embryos would be put to better use if they were given to science or
another eager family. If I were in the situation, I would probably want them donated
to science, because they are working with them to see if they may help with curing
of some deadly diseases.
AT
Mansfield HS
10/27/01
If my friend was in this situation I would first ask her if she plans on having
any more children. If her and her husband plan on having more children I would
suggest saving the eggs for future use. If her and her husband did not plan on
having more children after this implantation then I would suggest that she donate
them to someone else. My reasons for saving the embryo's and donating them would
be because this procedure does not always work but if they did have success and
later down in life they might want more children and by saving the left overs
you will already have the embryo's waiting. If they had enough children from the
first time then by donating the left over embryo's you are giving another couple
the chance for life. I would let my friend ultimately choose but those would be
my suggestions to her.
LP
Bishop Dunne
10/27/01
The ethical issue revolving around the decision on what to do with extra embryos
after a female has used them for the treatment to possibly have her own child
is a matter of opinion. There are four routes that could be taken to resolve this
questionable conflict. The simplest solution would to just throw them away. This
finish would probably not be the best solution, because the treatment is very
costly for most people in the world. All other three ending solutions are definitely
more reasonable and just. The first of those three is to preserve the fertilized
eggs for later use in case of a retry or the wanting of another child. This is
a very good way to not waste the embryos instead of tossing them in the unwanted
trashcan. Aside from keeping them to the mother herself, the embryos could also
be donated to another mother and family that are financially poor. A lot of mothers
may not be able to have a child so they can receive it by thankful donation. The
last solution is another donation, but not in the case of actual childbirth. This
donation revolves around the field of scientific research to better understand
those fertilized eggs and many other theories that could resolve from scientific
research. During this case I would probably stand in the line of the actually
outside fertilization not even taking place. In some way I feel that if God created
a women to not be able to give birth then that is the way it should be. The example
of cloning is another time where God’s creation has been altered. Every thing
in this world happens for a reason and even if we don’t think that God has meant
it to be that way. Some people may ask why things like war and hatred happen,
but in some way there is always a symbolic meaning to the actions or things. I
also partly feel that this case is all right if used properly. The outside fertilization
has a connection to adoption. With this case, however, I feel it is fine. The
parents are the ones who are most of the time at fault here. A child needs a set
of parents and I feel adoption is a great way for a child to experience life and
grow around other people so the child can better understand his or her role in
life. A third connection to both outside fertilization and adoption is abortion.
This is when an unborn child is stopped in his or her tracks to the unveiling
of the world. These children are not even given a chance in the world. One of
theses children could be a future billionaire, a professional, record setting
athlete, a scientist who finds the cure for aids, or even a future president.
We here on Earth may never know what could happen in the future with that unborn
child, while God cries from heaven as one of his children is not given a chance
in the world. While I find adoption appropriate and abortion inappropriate, the
issue on outside fertilization sits on the edge between okay and not okay. The
solution to the problem could be determined on the aftermath of the treatment.
If the embryos were just thrown in the trash can, then it would definitely not
be worthy. The other three solutions could possible be acceptable, but I conjure
that the best solution would be to devote the unborn embryos to research. If my
one of my friends were deciding to take a trip to the fertility clinic I would
inform her that donating the leftover embryos to science would be the best solution
in my opinion. Before I did that, however, if my friend were still in school or
under the age of around 25, I would try hard to convince her not to go on with
the procedure. Looking after a child can be a lot of work from what I know. Children
can drastically change a person ’s life. A young adult needs to not focus on topics
like that. They should enjoy the young life while they can. That person need to
reach out, accomplish goals, journey to place around the world, and most importantly
have fun. Once a mother is with child some of those dreams may be shortened and
may never happen at all. If my friend was over 25, on the other side, I would
suggest donating the leftover embryos for research to make vitro fertilization
safer and better for women in the future. These handed over embryos could in fact
lead to a much a safer fertilization to where more can be predicted to how the
process will conclude. This may help many women on the questions about will it
be a success (a better percentage), will there be abnormal birth involved, or
maybe, will the child come out okay and without any problems. In the future scientist
could solve these questions, making outside fertilization a very trustworthy process.
Since the procedure may not always work, I would also suggest for my friend to
save some of the embryos as well in case a retry is ever needed, because the first
attempt was a failure. After all, my friend may not even consider my advice. I
would want her to do what she thinks is right. It is never good to constantly
follow other peoples’ opinions, because what they think doesn’ t always count.
The person's thoughts of who is actually performing the procedure are the most
important out of any other persons’ opinion. The tiny little embryos could drastically
change a person’s life. That person must not have any doubt that the thing she
is doing is wrong. This topic on extra embryos has not affected my life very much,
or even at all. At the age of 14, I am still very young to have anything to deal
with this subject. If some one my age ever asked me for my opinion on what she
could do with her embryos, I would, without a doubt, tell her that she is to young.
A person’s youth is a very important subject that should be used with enjoyment.
Eventually this case, along with many others, could change my everyday life as
the role of technology increases. In the future a woman may be able to create
a child the exact way she wants. Our knowledge of the world and technology will
only continue to grow.
M.H
Harwood
10/27/01
The choice that I have decided was to donate the embryo to another person. This
was my decision because with donating it could save another childs life without
going under the possible procedures of research by trying to make it possible
for other people. By doing research, it is a 50/50 chance that it works, or it
doesn't come out successfully. For example, Cloning was a good expierement, until
they started to blow the whole procedure out of poportion.Cloning was for an extravagant
cause, but the scientists' went overboard when trying to clon humans. That procedure
makes our world come into a futuristic novel. Saving embryo's for possible implantation
is basically the same as donating the embryo to another person.Throwing lives
away is just another way of saying to abort that life. Donating lives to other
people is like giving other people a chance to expierence the possibilities of
having a child. There are people that are out there who want children but can
not make it happen because of the "technical difficulties" that that person or
couple is suffering.
ARG
Bishop Dunne High School
10/27/01
I would tell my friend that she should save the embryos that are left over for
possible implantation in the future. The remaining embryos that are left could
help a couple that is infertile or women who struggle to have children. Throwing
them away is like throwing a possible life away. With saving the embryo a couple
would not have to wait on someone to give their embryo to a fertility clinic.
Donating the embryos to another person is just like saving them for the future.
There are many possible defects of researching for an experiment that has hardly
been researched. It could cause defects in the women being tested as well as harm
a potential life.
SRC
Bishop Dunne High School
10/25/01
Deciding what will be done w/ the remainder of the embryos is an extremely difficult
decision. This is simply because each choice provided to the patient (my friend)
is valid in it's own way. However, since I believe that the most moral and ethical
decision should be made (one that may seem a bit old fashioned), I would then
want my friend to choose either to: 1.) Save the extra embryos for possible emplantation
in the future; or 2.) Donate them to another person. The reasons for my decision
are as follows: First of all, throwing away the embryos would be extremely foolish,
as I am sure many people would agree. I believe that the remaining embryos should
be put to use in some form or fashion, rather than just being carelessly disposed
of. Although this decision is valid in that the patient is immediately and easily
saved from any futher hassles or second thougths concerning the remainig embryos,
this is not enough reason considering what other things could have been done with
the embryos. Using the embryos for research aimed at making in vitro fertilization
safer and more efficient for other women in the future is an extremely "good"
decision. Who wouldn't want the progression of science to continue in yet another
area of our lives? In doing this women who are unable to bare children would not
only have a greater chance of doing so, they would also feel as well as be fully
secure/safe in the process. However, the embryos used in the research can still
never become children. Thus, making this decison is much like simply disposing
of the embryos. I believe that in making any decison about what to do with the
embryos, the decisions that allow the embryos to become living, breathing individuals
should be taken into consideration. Thus, I would be compelled to advise my friend
on the first two choices.
10/25/01
Considering all of the possible choices, I would definitely not advise her to
throw them away. Why throw something away when is can be used for scientific advancement
which could improve the quality and efficiency of the procedure and effect millions
of women in the future? If my friend did not want to donate the embryos to science
because of her own personal morals, she could either donate them to other women
seeking to have children or save them for future use if she plans to have more
children. Keeping them for future use would be a very wise idea if she planned
to have more children just so she wouldn't have to go through the same decision
in the future of what to do with the embryos and also, she would not have to go
through the procedure of creating the embryos again. If my friend did not wish
to have children in the future, she could donate the embryos to other women incapable
of conceiving even with in vitro fertilization. Either of the three decisions
she chose would be giving someone a
A.G.
Dunbar High School
10/25/01
There are many factors to consider for this case. If my friend is planning on
having more children in the future or is very doubtful of the procedure working
the first time, then she should obviously save the extra embryos. By donating
her extra embryos, she would be giving another woman an opportunity to have children.
However, if she feels uncomfortable donating her embryos to a 'stranger', then
I believe they should be used for research. This could improve the process by
making it more efficent and safer..after all, presently, the procedure for vitro
fertilization is not always dependable. Using the extra embryos for research would
be beneficial for other women in the future, and is perhaps the best choice. However,
the decision should ultimately be left up to my friend.
S.J.
DHS
10/25/01
I think the course of action depends on the woman. If she is looking into having
multiple pregnancies from this clinic I would advise her to save the extra embryos
for those possible future implantations. If she only wanted this as a one time
thing, I would advise donating them to research to make it easier and better for
women in the future to be able to go through the procedure. If she is unsure about
her future plans it would be best to save them just in case she wants them in
the future and if she doesn't she can have them donated.
J.E.
Dunbar High School
10/25/01
Since it is known that in vitro fertilization is not always successful, I would
advise my friend to save the extra embryos. This way if the procedure fails the
first time, she has the option of trying a few more times in hope of success.
However, if, by chance, my friend becomes pregnant and still has embryos left
over, I think it would be wise of her to donate those embryos to research. This
way she would be helping other women who are considering or experimenting with
the in vitro procedure. Her embryos could help discover a way for scientists to
increase the success factor of the procedure. Ultimately, it seems either one
or both of these suggestions would be most helpful to my friend and others interested
in this procedure.
RP
Dunbar High School
10/24/01
I would tell my friend to utilize her remaining eggs for a better cause, by giving
them to the research that is intended toward the vitro fertilization process to
become much safer and favorable for other women in the future. This can be a remarkable
help that one can be doing in order to improve the fertilization methods for future
causes. There are many other women out there in the world, like the friend in
this case, who is not potentially able to produce an offspring without the help
of other external medical sources. The leftover eggs are unserviceable, since
the procedure is complete. Therefore this individual have the choice of making
herself beneficial by donating the embryos to the research foundation. In one
way or other, most women in this world always had dreamed of bearing a baby and
of becoming a "mom" themselves. Sadly, there are many women out there
who are not capable of fulfilling this job. So they turn to vitro fertilization,
a windows of opportunity to the these desperate women wanting to be mothers themselves.
By helping and contributing to the research foundation, this person can be making
a big difference in many peoples life. With available resource they have, the
research team can find better, improved way to open up new chapter many peoples
life by giving them a chance to have a youngster themselves. If the friend do
not agree on this decision, she could certainly give the embryos to someone else
or save it for herself in case of future use. However, she definitely should not
throw the embryos away!!!
S.T.
Bryan Adams High School
10/24/01
Well, i would tell my friend to either donate them to another person who needs
them or to allow them to be researched on. If she donates the extra embryos to
another person who needs them, she will be allowing someone to have a chance at
having a kid, something they might not have been able to do before and that is
truely good. If she allows the extra embryos to be researched on, then she is
helping in finding a way to make vitro fertilization a safer process as well as
making the process more efficient for other women in the future.
B.P.
DHS
10/24/01
I would have to base my decision on the information that I gave to my friend upon
their willingness to listen to another viewpoint. If my friend were very rigid
concerning their decisions, it would not matter what I told them, because they
would still do whatever they were going to do before they asked for my advise.
But, if my friend were open to new options, I would most definantly suggest that
they think about the donation of the unused embryos to either research or to a
sterile couple. I know that some people think that it's wrong to even consider
the thought of giving away an embryo, but so what? If a person is cloned, it doesn't
mean that the clone will be exactly the same as the person that was cloned...a
person's character is based predominantly upon experiences, not genetics... so
why would anyone think that a child resulting from a donated embryo would be theirs.
The child would have the same genetic makeup as the biological parents, but that
would only dictate the baby's complexion and features, not their personality traits.
In short, the information that i would give to my friend would depend upon just
how restricted their thoughts happened to be.
Nimitz High School
10/24/01
I would tell mey friend to save the embryos since the technique might not work
the first time. Ireject the other alternatives because I don't think you should
be so heartless and calloused as to throw a potential life away purposely and
that in donating the embryos there might be an emotional attachment later. I also
disagree with signing things up for science experiments and they have no choice.
DTP
Sam Houston High School
10/24/01
If I were giving advice to one of my friends I would tell her to keep the eggs
for further study, because the process is so inefficient. However she may not
feel comfortable with that option so my next best advice would be to keep them
in case she decided she wanted to try again, because you never know what might
happen during the pregnancy. If she knew for sure that she didn't want to keep
them then I would say to throw them away.
NA
Cedar Park High School
10/24/01
If it were my friend I would want her to do two of the four choices given. I would
not want her to throw away the embryos that could be a waste of la life that could
be made. Other than throwing away her unused embryos I would want her to either
donate them to someone that doesn't have the privilege of having embryos or save
them for later use herself. I disagree with the fourth option of donating the
embryos for scientific research on making this technique of fertilization easier
which means in possibly killing fertilized embryos-human life- to make the process
more sufficient.
CPHS
10/24/01
Use them for research aimed at making in vitro fertilization safer and more efficient
for other women in the future. This could help lead to better and more efficient
ways to fertilize and could help scientists discover new safer ways to fertilize.
Cedar Park High School
10/24/01
I would personally suggest that my friend keep her embryos for future use. Though
she may not plan on having children initially, she is always open to change her
mind. As time proceeded and she was definite in her decision of having o more
children, I would suggest that she give her embryos to science in order to enhance
the in vitro fertilization process for future users of the science. I believe
that discarding the embryos wold be a total waste, which I would think my friend
would understand due to her struggle with fertility. I would probably not offer
any advice on donating the embryos to other families, thought I would probably
resort to tit if I was opposed to scientific research performed on my embryos.
Cedar Park High School
10/24/01
I believe that my friend should save them just in case something goes wrong in
the future as well as give some for the research for development of better vitro
fertilization. the reason I believe she should save some of the embryos because
if her son dies int he future she can always have those embryos to have more children.
I also believe that she should give some to research so that vitro fertilization
can become more reliable in the odds that it will succeed and so that vitro fertilization
can also become safer for all women having this process done.
E.
Cedar Park High School
10/24/01
In looking at the problem, the relative benefits of each option must be considered.
As such, the option to throw the eggs out obviously holds little merit due to
the fact that no potential gain could be derived from that decision. The option
to save the eggs for future use offers slightly more promise, though the reality
that these eggs might never be needed and therefore wasted hurts this option.
The final two options, to donate the eggs to either another person or science
are by far the best of the four options. Both are immediately applicable and provide
for long.-term benefits since one gives another family a child and the other could
make in vitro fertilization procedure safer for future patients. The choice between
the two would be dependent upon the donating friend's personal convictions.
C.K.
Cedar Park High School
10/24/01
I would advise my friend to give her extra embryos to research is she does not
wish to keep them. If she does wish to keep them, then she should save them for
later is she wants the procedure done again. It would be very beneficial to donate
her embryos to research; research could use them for very beneficial purposes.
It is for the good of everyone . She most definitely shouldn't throw them away,
that would be pointless and stupid.
Ccedar Park High School
10/24/01
I would first keep the left over embryos for research to better their development
and reduce the amount of extra embryos needed in the process. Second I would
save the embryos for later use, either for her or someone else. That way nothing
is wasted.
DA
10/24/01
This is a very tough decision to make. Two options appeal to me. I would tell
my friend to either donate the left over embryos to other women who need them
or to let them be used for research. I personally would not feel as comfortable
letting the embryos be used for research, but it's up to her in this case. If
she doesn't mind her embryos being used for research, then I wouldn't oppose.
The research would help vitro fertilization become safer and more efficient,
meaning it wouldn't be necessary to prepare extra embryos in the future. Therefore,
this difficult decision would not have to be made by other women. However, if
she feels it would be wrong of her to allow researchers to use her embryos as
subjects of their experiments, she could donate them to other women. She might
feel that she would be putting "lives" in danger by letting them be
"used" for research purposes. By donating her embryos to women who
are not capable of having children of their own, she would be giving them the
most miraculous and treasured gift in life. I believe both of these options
are beneficial and ethical. I would let her know that if I were in her position,
I would choose to donate the embryos to other women. Not only would this save
a life from being destroyed, it would also give a woman who couldn't have children,
a child. However, if she does permit researchers to use them, she would be helping
them find ways to prevent this from happening again in the future to other women
and making vitro fertilization safer for them.
V.P.
Dunbar High School
10/23/01
I would let my friend know that I feel she should do what she is most comfortable
with, and then let her know that I believe that she should donate those embroys
that she does not want to science. I feel that it would both benefit her and
all other woman in helping to make the process more efficient. If she doesn't
wish to do that, I would encourage her to donate them to another woman. Many
women are not fertile, and the blessing of motherhood is a wonderful gift to
be able to give. If she doesn't feel comfortable with my advice, I would at
least encourage her to save them and not throw them away. In hopes that maybe
she will change her mind and donate them or use them.
CB
MHS
10/23/01
I believe that human life should not be taken for granted. Throwing away the embryos
would be like throwing away human life. I would donate the embryos to o\another
who dose not have the capability of creating human life on their own. It is better
to give life than to just throw it away.
10/22/01
I think that saving the embryos for future use could be a wise path of action,
especially if she’s sure that she wants to have more kids in the future. Even
if she’s not sure she may change her mind and decide that she does want to have
kids later on. If she saves the embryos than she won’t have to go through the
whole process again. Donating the embryos to another person is also a good choice.
If something goes wrong it is not her fault and the other people should realize
that. Also she would be giving the greatest gift, life, to another person that
can’t have kids of their own. I do not think that throwing them away is a wise
choice. That is a part of her that she is throwing away if she does. I also believe
that it is taking a human life. Life is a very precious thing that should not
be wasted by being thrown away. With everything that is going on in the world
today people think that life is even more important. It has always been important,
many people just didn’t realize it before. I personally don’t think that she should
waste a life by throwing the embryos away. I think that using them for research
aimed at making in vitro fertilization safer and more efficient for other women
in the future is also a good choice. This is not really wasting a life because
it is using it to help other people in the future. It is going to make in vitro
fertilization safer and more efficient so that in the future they wont have to
have so many extra embryos in case of failure. In the end though, the final decision
lies with my friend. It also lies with the father unless it was donor sperm and
then it lies with just her. I will stand by her decision no matter what it is,
give her my support, and pray for her to have luck.
cf
khs
10/22/01
I think that the whole decision should be based on if you are for murder or not.
The embryos are babies in the first stage of eventually being born. Throwing them
away or using them for research is just plain murder. That embryo is a human being.
It would basically be abortion. I think that saving them for a later use to have
other children or donating them to someone else is the only sensible resolution.
You might want children later on in life and instead of having to go through the
procedure again, you could use the other embryos. If you donate the embryos to
someone else, it is giving someone else a chance to have a child that otherwise
may not be able to. I would explain all of this to my friend, but when it comes
down to it, everyone has to make their own decisions.
J. B.
Kaufman High School
10/22/01
Giving the eggs to further aid scientific knowledge is what I would do, if I was
in my friends situation, because my eggs might help people in the future who can't
become pregnant or they may make the procedure more effective thereby bringing
hope to hundreds women. But, I would tell my friend to not base her decision just
on my answer and that she should do her own soul searching and find which she
would be most comfortable with because, they are not my eggs. I would add that
whatever she chooses is her decision and right and all the choices are worth consideration.
P.W.
Azle High School
10/21/01
First, I would highly stress that this is her decision to make, not mine. She
should do what she feels is right. My advice to her would depend on what kind
of person she is. In no instance would I suggest she throw the embyros away. That
would simply be wasteful. If she is looking to have other children in the future,
I would suggest that she save the embryos. If she decides then not to have any
more children at a later point in her life, she can donate them or send them to
be used in research. In the decision betweeen donation and research, it all depends
on if my friend feels that the research is killing a living being or that it is
helping many other women get and possibly improve on the opportunities that she
received and reduce the number of extra embyros produced. My advice to her at
the beginning would then be to keep the embryos for possible future use.
S.R.
Azle High School
10/21/01
First of all I wouldn't just let them throw the embryos away. That is a waste
of a perfectly good embryo that could be used for the good of society. It think
it would be a bad idea to donate the embryo to another couple because that is
your embryo and it would be odd to have your genes floating around being born
by women that you don't know. Saving the embryos for future implantation is OK
if you absolutely have an incredibly hard time fertilizing your eggs. When you
can't make eggs any more you probably don't need to be caring a baby. So I think
you shouldn't use old eggs. Using them for possible research makes the most sense
to me. It just makes sense to help other people without really affecting you.
J
Azle High School
10/21/01
The only way I would feel right about advising my friend in this situation is
not to tell them what to do but to suggest which options I would feel most comfortable
with and why. So if my friend, lets call her Xena, approached me and asked me
what I thought she should do I would say, "Xena, you are an adult now I can't
tell you what to do, but I will give you my opinion. If I were in your shoes I
would spend some time thinking about the consequences of each of the options before
making my decision. First you have the option of saving the extra embryos for
future implantation. Choosing this option infers that you plan on having more
children via vitro fertilization. If that is an intention of yours then I think
this is a smart option. Your second option would be to donate the embryos to another
person, I would think this option is a great idea, however it depends entirely
on you ethical outlook. Some people th
KMH
azle high school
10/20/01
I would tell my friend that she should save the embryos for the future because
the invitro technique is often unsuccessful. The procedure is not garaunteed to
work and it often has to be repeated in order for success. After she knows that
the procedure has worked I think she should allow the embryos to be used for scientific
research so that scientist can learn more about the procedure, making it easier
for other women in the future.
A.P.
Dunbar High School
10/20/01
This is a difficult situation because most people would try to influence their
friend's decision based upon their own beliefs. That seems unfair to me, so I
would try my best to simply factually state the benefits and detriments of each
alternative. First, the option to simply throw away the unused embryos, this option
seems pointless to me because it's just wasteful. If the friend thought she might
later desire more children then I'd advise her to perhaps save the unused embryos
for her own future use. However, if she knew she'd never want anymore children
or was sure she would not need those embryos then I would most likely suggest
that she allowed them to be donated to other women who might not be able to have
children on their own. If she, for some reason, disliked or disapproved of that
option I would address the option of donating the embryos to scientific research
so that a better, safer, more efficient way of in vitro fertilization might be
developed to benefit other women. After discussing each option I would do my best
to simply support what ever decision my friend made for herself.
KPB
Azle High School
10/18/01
I would tell my friend that if she and her husband ever planned on having more
children then the embryos should be saved, but if not then she should donate them
to another couple. I would tell her to keep them because it is expensive to get
the artificial reproduction completed and she should not waste the embryos. If
she took my second opinion about donating then she would be helping another couple
have children. I would recommend donating them to research before throwing them
away because this could help make it easier, cheaper, and safer to have the procedure
done. I would not say throw them away because this would be wasting lives.
RP
Kaufman High School V
10/18/01
I feel that she should definitely not throw the embryos away, because once they
are destroyed, they can't ever be used again. If I had to choose exactly what
she should do with them, I suppose I would tell her to donate them for research,
only if she didn't plan on having any more children, and if she didn't want anyone
else using her embryos. They have already been created, why not let them go into
finding new discoveries that could help greatly. This could help in finding easier
ways, perhaps, for other friends to become fertilized, or even for yourself in
case you decided to repeat the procedure in the future. My main point is that
once these embryos are created, they should not be destroyed in any way. Yes,
I do understand that these are the beginning stages of humans, but do not waste
them, when you can help other people fulfill their dreams. Especially do not waste
them when you can contribute the embryo that just might crack the unknown discoveries
for making in vitro fertilization easier.
B.C.
AZLE HIGH SCHOOL
10/18/01
I personaly think that whatever you want to do with your extra embryos is your
choice.But I also think that whatever you do wouldnt be right.However if I was
in that kind of situation I would save the extra embryos for future implantation
purposes
DC
Bonham High School
10/18/01
I feel that donating to another person is wrong because of the fact that what
if the baby was born with a heart problem how are you going to know if the baby
has some other kind of problems from the bioliogical parents and you can't find
out due yo confidentially of the donating.
C.E.
Bonham High Schoo
10/18/01
I would tell my friend to give the extra eggs to a person who cannot have children.
By doing so, my friend would be helping other needy people start a family. If
you save the extra embryos, there is a chance that they could be given away or
mishandled. Throwing them away would be a useless waste of something that could
be useful to others. Using the eggs for research would help future women, but
you could help others better in the present by donating the unused eggs.
J.H.
Bonham High School
10/18/01
In vitro fertilization has allowed many couples to gain the ability to have families
where they were otherwise unable to. In this case, my friend has a choice on what
happens to the extra embyos that have been created. Several factors must be weighed
to make a logical descision in her case. She basically has three options, even
though there are technically four, on what to do with these embryos. She can allow
them to be used for the creation of another child, destroy them, or allow them
to be used in research. Each option has its strength and weaknesses, however,
the most logical seems to be allowing their use in further research. The final
option has many strengths and few drawbacks like the others do. Choosing to have
the embryos saved for herself or used for someone else has several factors that
make it as an option undesireable. One obvious reason is that the embryos very
well could go to waste, i.e. she does not want another child or no one wants to
have her child. If the embryos were to go to someone else, however, then someone
would eventually be walking around with a child that her and the father are the
genetic parents of. Not only does the seem odd, but it is also unethical to give
birth to a child in which you have no genetic influence. Babies should at least
be somewhat "related" to the parents that give birth to them. Finally, there also
lies a chance, a very remote and minute one, that her child and the child from
other parents could form a relationship in the future. Although unlikely, this
would be a pandora's box, for the children would technically be imbreeding and
never be aware of it. Choosing this option is either wasteful, unethical, or too
risky, elimating its viability as a choice. To destroy the embryos would eliminate
the whole debate. Obviously nothing bad can come from destruction of the embryos,
yet nothing good could come of it either. The embryos could be put to much greater
use than just oblivion. Concerns about need for future embryos as a reason not
to destroy them are also unwarrented, as new embryos can readily be made up until
menopause. The best option is to donate the embryos to future research. Eventually,
in all likliehood, the embryos will be destroyed, but on their path to destruction
they will give researchers and doctors better insight into the safety and efficiency
of in vitro fertilization. This option alliviates the problems waste, ethical
concerns, and minute risks. At the same time it allows growth of mankind's understanding
of one of the most revered process in nature. Over all of this case lies one other
question. Are embryos life or specimen? Embryos are life, but they are not concious
human life. Destruction or testing on an embryo is not an unethical process. An
embryo is nothing more than growing cells, that possibly can make a human in the
future. But they are not a child, not a fetus, and most importantly they are not
concious of existance. Throughout making her choice, she must understand that
testing and eventually destroying her embryos is not murder. Using an embryo is
much like using live liver cells for research. The cells are alive, but they are
not a concious human being. It is not a problem if the live liver cells are thrown
away after their use, just as no one should care if embryotic cells are thrown
out after their use. All things being taken in, it is obvious that the use of
the extra embryos for future research is the best of the options. As said before,
it elminates issues of ethics and waste while at the same time allowing for the
growth of the future.
A.G.
Azle High School
10/17/01
I would tell my friend to give the extra eggs to a person who cannot have children.
By doing so, my friend would be helping other needy people start a family. If
you save the extra embryos, there is a chance that they could be given away or
mishandled. Throwing them away would be a useless waste of something that could
be useful to others. Using the eggs for research would help future women, but
you could help others better in the present by donating the unused eggs.
J.H.
Bonham High School
10/17/01
I personaly think what ever you decide to do with your extra embryosis your choice.But
I dont think anything you do would be right.However if I was in that kind of situation
I would probably save the extra embryos for possible implantation in the future.
10/16/01
I think that the extra embryos should be used for further study so that the entire
process would become so effective that in the near future there would be no ethical
dilemma to face since there would be no "left overs." If my friend was always
going to have this problem i think that some of them should be stored so that
she may become pregnant again later if she wishes to be. Lastly, if she doesnt
want them to be donated to science or keep them, give them up to be donated to
another person. This is the order in which i would tell my friend my opinion so
that she would know that scientific research for future procedures is first on
my list. Just as long as she knew that trashing them is not an option.
ES
MHS
10/16/01
All options must be seriously considered and their consequences thought out. We
would advise them not to throw them away. Things may happen during the couple's
life and they may want to have more children. If their child had a disease, they
may need a donor to match DNA. Later in life they may make the choice to destroy
them. Donating them, while helping other couples, may only cause legal or psychological
problems later. The couple must seriously consider their position concerning scientific
research involving donating organs or, in this case, embryos. Religious beliefs
may also factor into the decision. This is not a decision a friend could make
for you. The friend should be supportive no matter what the couple decides to
do.
Terrell High School
10/16/01
If you ask me I don't see anything wrong with it if a woman was unable to have
a child and someone wanted to donate an egg or embryo hey then go for it. If any
woman was unable to have a child on her own these left over embryos would be like
a dream come true for her. So yes when it comes to in vitro fertilization I say
yes they should donate the extra embryos to woman not able to have children on
there own.
K.F.
10/16/01
I believe that the extra embryos should be donated to another person. First of
all, the embryos are the chance for a life and should not be thrown away. Donating
them rather than saving them for future implantation is a better use of the embryos
because the friend obviously can produce eggs. Since this is true, they should
be donated to use them for someone who cannot produce eggs, therefore giving a
miracle to another person. Also, I feel they should be donated rather than using
them for research because, even though making the procedure safer and more efficient
would help many people, some people still cannot produce eggs. I feel donation
to another person is the most effective use of embryos left over in the treatment
because it gives people who normally had no chance of conception a new miracle.
ELD
Plano West Senior High
10/12/01
I would use them for research aimed at making in vitro fertilization safer and
more efficient for other women in the future. By doing this, the procedure is
more efficient and the problem wound not occurred over and over to other women.
It also helps the researcher research and study more into this subject. So that
this can be safe for other women in the future. The most important thing is DON'T
WASTE THEM.
D.T.
SHHS
10/12/01
I would use them for research aimed at making in vitro fertilization safer and
more efficient for other women in the future. By doing this the procedure can
be more efficient and other women will not have to make the same decision. Also
the procedure can be made more safer for others. When the researchers research
the extra embryos they might be able to make scientific discoveries, perhaps cures
to diseases. The embryos might have also somehow mutated and have made defenses
against common sicknesses. If so, then the scientist might be able to somehow
find a way to replicate the DNA code and implant it into other embryos. If that
happened then humans could be a better and more evolved species.
AMS
SHHS
10/12/01
I WOULD ADVICE MY FRIEND TO DONATE THE EMBRYOS TO ANOTHER PERSON. OTHER WOMEN
WHO COULDN'T HAVE BABIES WILL BE VERY HAPPY. TO ME THROWING AWAY EMBRYOS IS LIKE
THROWING AWAY UNDERDEVELOPING BABIES. I WOULD CONVINCE MY FRIEND OR BUGGING HER
UNTIL SHE GIVE THE EMBRYOS AWAY TO A HOSPITAL TO DONATE TO ANOTHER PERSON. THAT'S
ONLY MY OPINION SO I CAN'T SAY THAT IT'S RIGHT.
G.N.
SAM HOUSTON HIGH SCHOOL
10/12/01
If I was in the position of having to go to a fertility clinic, my first choice
would be to save my own embryos for possible plantation in the future. Even if
I was not planning on having another child, I could always change my mind. I feel
that donating the embryos to another person would be like giving my child away.
Although it is like adoption, it is definitely not my first or second choice.
I feel that destroying the embryos is a waste and is almost like having a baby
and leaving it to die. Donating my embryos to scientific research is a reasonable
option in my opinion. I have no problem with it, but I understand why other people
might.
SH
Plano West High School
10/12/01
We believe that all the choices are un-ethical and pose a great dilemma . Therefore
we believe that one should refrain from fertilization and it should be outlawed.
For if a embryo is given to research you are killing a live, and a potential human
being the same is also so if you dispose of these live embryos. A member in our
group suggest that of an embryo is donated to a different family then once the
embryo bas been born and comes to mature age then they will start to search for
answers pertaining to their true identities and true biological parents. Thus
posing a terrible situation. Finally considering all the facts and opinions we
deeply feel that fertilization should be discontinued.
Students of Longview High School
10/12/01
Our opinion is to give the fertilized eggs to a person who is in need of a baby.
We decided to give this to another person, because we believe it is wrong to throw
away a living embryo. Also we believe that it is a great idea to do stem cell
research. If you were to throw away an embryo you would be throwing away a living
human. It may not be developed yet, but it is still a person. Why throw away a
life that could be, or that could help us in research.
Students of Longview High School
Health Science Technology
10/12/01
I believe I would tell my friend to give them to some other type of research depending
on what their beliefs were. If they like the idea of using them for stem cell
research I would definitely encourage that route, mainly because it could help
a LOT of people if we were able to re-create body parts or harder to come by cells
such as nerve cells. How many people have died waiting for a heart or another
body part? This type of research would be invaluable if something was discovered
from the eggs she handed over. However, if my friend was uncomfortable with stem
cell research, I would try to push research for improving in vitro techniques.
I am a strong believer that if you are just going to throw something away, you
may as well use it for something useful. If we were able to improve upon the technique,
it would enable other people to not have to make the same decision, because we
would not have to take as many eggs out of the mother and would not have to throw
as many away. You obviously can't keep them indefinitely not only from a cost
point of view, but a storage problem as well. Donating them to another person
would be acceptable, as it would allow another mother to not have to go through
getting their eggs taken out, but it seems a little creepy to me. And to just
throw them away without making a good use of them seems kind of wasteful, especially
when there are a lot of scientists who would like to study them.
M.K.
10/12/01
If one of our good friends asked our advice regarding what to do with her leftover
embroys we would have to tell her to use them for research aimed at making in
vitro fertilization safer and more efficient for other women in the furture. We
decided this choice b/c if she were to save them for possible implantation she
might come to the point where she doesn't want another child, and the embryos
will basically go to waste. Secondly, we decided against donating them to another
person b/c that is like giving up your own flesh and blood to a stranger. Thirdly,
because the embroys are humans if she were to have them thrown away it would be
like having an abortion. Therefore, using them for further research is the best
choice,in that it will be beneficial to other people and medical progress.
Longview High School
10/12/01
I would first tell my friend that her decision is up to her, and she should do
what she believes in. I, however, believe that she should save the extra embryos
for possible implantation in the future. If she decided to go to a fertility clinic
in the future and the clinic could not fertilize her eggs for some reason, then
she would already have saved embryos. I disregarded the other choices for certain
beliefs. I would not want to donate my eggs to another person because I would
consider the eggs to be mine, and I would not want somebody having my baby. I
also would not feel comfortable having research done to my embryos either. Scientist
who want to research vitro fertilization can use someone else's embryos. Again,
I feel that saving the extra embryos for possible implantation in the future is
the best choice.
M.C.
Plano West Senior High School
10/12/01
I believe that the choice in what to do with the embryos is my friend's and no
other's. But, if my advice was truly valuable, I would opt to save the extra embryos
for further implantation. This action will provide a route for my friend to have
more children when the time is right. In addition, the other choice: throwing
them away, is a useless road to take because those embryos indirectly represent
future life. We just cannot through them away. Using the embryos for research
would probably not sit well with some mothers who feel that those embryos represent
their primitive children, lacking the aid of just one sperm cell. They would not
likely approve of using their specific embryos for research in this field. The
same state applies to donating the embryos to another person, which prevents possible
implantation in the future. In short, I would save the embryos for the future
when the mother feels the need or urge to have another child.
C.T.A.
Plano West Senior High School
10/12/01
In this case I think that by saving the extra embroyos for possible implantation
in the future would be the best choice. Vitro fertilization doesn't always work
for a women. That way in the feature the lady has a chance to use them again for
another chance at hopefully having a child. I also feel donating the vitro fertilization
would be a good idea also just because you aren't throwing them away, your letting
someone else have an opportunity as well. Research is also a possibility in this
case.I think by making vitro fertilization safer and more efficient for other
women in the future, would help women who aren't as assured to this procedure
feel good about there decision. Vitro fertilization gives women who have tried
to have children for many years have a better opportunity at succeeding.
KLL
Plano West
10/12/01
There are many ways to look at the situation. First off, I seriously believe that
the decision solely depends on the person having the procedure. Although, if I
had to decide for my friend I would advise her to either save the extra embryos
for future implantation or allow for them to aid in the discovery of safer and
more efficient techniques. I would most definitely tell her not to simply throw
them away because I believe that it would be a waste. I would tell my friend that
if there are left over embryos that she might as well do something productive
with them. Since everyone has different ethics, I would never tell someone what
they should do.
K.T.
Plano West Senior High School
10/12/01
I think that I would tell my friend to donate her embryos to another person who
is not able to have children because there are many women in the world who are
unable to have children. I also think that because of the "physical relationship"
the embryo has with its mother, when the child is 18 years of age, it should have
the right to find out who its biological mother is. I am strongly against throwing
the embryos away because that is a ridiculous waste of life, and possible research.
As much as I would be in favor of research aimed at making in vitro fertilization
safer and more efficient for other women in the future, I don't agree with killing
a living child. I agree with Bush's compromise in that we may use the embryos
that had already died naturally to further the research, but that no living embryos
should be used. It is a very controversial topic and Bush handled it well.
J.J.
Plano West Senior High
10/12/01
In my opinion, the process of reproduction is a very complex and fragile aspect
of the body's functions. When a woman decides to go through with in vitro fertilization,
she should be well aware that although the medical field is quite advanced, this
technique is still quite ineffiecient. Since the chances of the attempt being
a success are very slim, I believe that it is imperative that the embryos be saved
for possible implantation in the future. If my friend has decided to spend a fortune
to attempt this particular procedure, I would definitely advise that she should
preserve her eggs because throwing them away would be utter stupidity and the
frustation that donating them would cause is inconceivable. In addition, there
is always the possibility of using the eggs for research if my friend no longer
desires to have another child.
A.J.
Plano West Senior High
10/12/01
I think that the only option for my friends to even consider is to keep them for
use at a later date. I mean we are talking about human life, not a cup of sugar
or something. Human life is the most beautiful and important thing we have, and
to treat it as some sort of condiment is spitting right back in the face of evolution
and every organism that came before us. I love that we can help less fortunate
people by providing them with a baby of their own, but it should be just that,
their own. Human life should not be passed around or thrown out, it is just too
precious.
T.P.
Plano West Senior High
10/12/01
The fact that the embryos left over from the vitro fertilization could be better
used in research and in helping other couples to become pregnant is reason enough
for the total decision against the destruction of the embryos. The embryos that
would be saved for donations to couples that really need them so as to allow these
prospective parents to be able to raise children. By donating these embryos, you
can ensure the fact that you are making some other family out there happy and
make you feel better about yourself. The research aspect of the embryos will also
lead to a much happier existence for others in the new treatments for diseases
that will be yielded from them. To trash these embryos would not only destroy
a potential baby but also provide one less needy family with a child of their
own to raise. Therefore, the best decision in this kind of situation would be
to donate the embryos to needy families and research facilities.
JFH
Plano West Senior Highschool
10/12/01
I strongly believe in freedom over anything. The patient must have a right to
choose which ever option she wants. Disposal may sound harsh to some, but those
embryos are the sole property of the patient, therefore we (society) are no one
to judge that patient's ethics. Initially the first option on saving for later
use is good, but knowing in advance or planning on future implantations is better.
Imagine the concept of people freezing eggs for future use--it has it's pros and
cons of course. There has to be either a 100% certainty rate of future implentation
or another option (disposal, donation, etc.) The second option of donating is
almost like the practice of adopting children. Giving the eggs to someone who
will be of good interest and benefit to the future child is a wise and rational
option. The third option of disposal depends heavily on personal ethics. An embryo
can be considered 'life' i.e. you had conception and you got life. But no where
in law does it state this claim to be true. Therefore, if the patient wants to
choose disposal as an option it should not be a problem. Ethically, the patient
is allowed to choose, and I firmly support that liberty. The fourth option of
using for research is always applauded, the patient is giving scientists ways
to improve for future experiments and improvements.
S.K.A.
Plano West Senior High School
10/12/01
My opinion about the usage of embryos is that they should be used sufficiently
and be given to the people that need them. Due to my intelligence, what I have
learned from Science classes and how I feel as a human, I believe that this is
the most appropriate course of action because by doing this, you are helping somebody
fill a gap in their life. I also believe that this is the right decision because
you could be throwing away the next Albert Einstein or another great person to
come that could change our course of everyday life.
S.P.
PWSH
10/11/01
If my friend were to ask me for advice about her left over embryos. I would tell
her to send the extras for research. The armed forces Institute of pathology in
Washington D.C. consists of preserved embryos. They have MRM techniques that I
think would help then find out more on embryos. I also believe that it is up to
the woman on what to do.
DTJ
Plano West Senior high school
10/11/01
When science and new technology are used to help a family have a baby, the whole
idea and procedure will be very controversial. If my close friend was going to
a fertility clinic to have assisted reproduction, I would tell her to first save
her left over embryos just in case the procedure was unsuccessful. This way if
she wanted to try again, she would not have to go through the trouble of getting
more embryos. However, if the procedure did work she would have left over embryos.
I would tell her not to let them throw them away because that would be a waste
of embryos and then no one could benefit from them. She should instead either
donate them to a friend who needs them, or she should donate them to science.
Both ways will go to a worthy cause. Either someone could now have a chance to
become a mother because of her extra embryos, or science could use and study them
to help make future procedures better and safer. Overall I agree with all the
options of what to do with the left over embryos, except for the option of throwing
them away. I think that would be an unintelligent decision.
smc
10/11/01
I feel that in my mind the best possible solution would be to either donate the
extras to a wanting and waiting family. You never know what good parents that
might be waiting for the most precious gift ever. The other possible solution
could be to use them for research. What if things keep going wrong and we have
no way of finding out. Well, using these and possibly other donated embryos could
help to better the research on making this work. It has to be completely obvious
though not the throw away the embryos. That is so wasteful and could be prolonging
the newborns of other eager couples that are in the same spot as you. I honestly
could argue all points given only because I myself have never been in any type
of situation like this before. I just can only hope that if there is or was a
person stuck in this position th
10/11/01
In my opinion I would probably want to save the extra embryos for possible implantation
in the future. I would want this because, if I wanted to have children in the
future I would already have these embryos saved. I wouldn’t want to throw them
away because that is the same thing as killing another human being. I would feel
horrible thinking that I killed my own children. Donating them would be another
possibility, but I wouldn’t want other people having and racing my own children.
A. A.
Kaufman High School
10/11/01
If placed in that situation, I would have to tell her to keep them for future
usage. Chances are that she will decide to have children in the future. Unless
she is 100% sure that she does not want children in the future, she should not
simply throw them away, or give them away. But if she is sure that she will not
want them in the future, she should donate them to research or another person.
Doing either of these things will help others in the same situation. Research
makes anything of that situation safer and more efficient for someone in the future.
Donating them to someone, whose reproduction system is faulty, would make their
life more complete.
H.M.
Kaufman High School
10/11/01
Regarding my friend's extra embryos, I would tell her that she must first decide
when she believes an embryo becomes a living organism. If she believes as I do,
then she will not want to donate them to another person. She should think logically
if she will ever want to use these embryos again, and if so keep some for later
implantation. If not, then she should donate them for research to help others
like herself. I don't think she should throw them away because a specific test
on her embryo could be the one that finds a safer and more efficient treatment
for other women. By keeping some embryos and giving the others for research, she
is not only helping herself, but others as well.
SR
Plano West Senior High
10/11/01
With the presence of extra embryos, I would want to donate them and have them
used for research. The research could help several woman in the future with in
vitro fertilization. The use and research of stem cells could prove to have extraordinary
results. This way you are not wasting them, by throwing them away. Also with your
decision, you might be helping someone you never met, with your cells. The extras
should be used for research tools to move ahead in the field.
A.B
Plano West Senior High
10/11/01
A close friend of mine has gone to a fertility clinic to assist her in reproduction.
Due to this procedure being inefficient, it lead her to have extra embryos left
over. I think my friend should save these extra embryos for the possible implantation
in the future if she decides to conceive again. Research states many infertile
couples are not concerned in a diagnosis to their problem of infertility; in fact
they are more interested in finding a solution to the problem which results in
having a baby as soon as possible. Assisted reproductive technology provides a
successful means in increasing the chances of pregnancy. However, it is not always
successful the first time. With this information, I would suggest that my friend
save the extra embryos for future use, so that she has a second chance in case
the first procedure is not successful.
Plano West Senior High School
10/11/01
My choice would be to save the extra embryos for future implantation. If you decided
to throw them away you would lose the opportunity to have maybe three or four
more of your own children. I also would not like a part of my husband and me to
be given to a complete stranger. Even though researching embryos is aimed at making
future vitro fertilization safer, the studying of this process would be most beneficial
by observing what has happened in successful and unsuccessful fertilizations.
Could not researchers gain the most knowledge by keeping close watch of the embryo's
growing process? A great amount of information about the embryo's structure and
functions has hopefully already been obtained in order to even suggest vitro fertilization.
Although it is not my first choice, this option is better than throwing them away
because there would be some beneficial information gained from these potential
lives. The most important forces are your own personal beliefs and ethics. I do
encourage you to listen to other people's opinions since you might agree, disagree,
or form new ideas of your own.
NH
Plano West Senior High School
10/11/01
I would tell my friend to save the extra emryos for possible implantation in the
future. If they decide not to have any more children after this one, then she
should discuss using them for research aimed at making in vitro fertilization
safer and more efficient for other women in the future. Dontating your own embroys
to another person is too similar to giving your child away to someone else to
have and take care of. Women need to be more sensitive to the fact that this is
a life, and it is so precious. There really is not anything to discuss on the
subject of throwing the emryo away. They should say throwing the "child" away,
because thats just what it is, and it's sickening.
A.S.
Plano West Senior High School
10/11/01
I would advise my friend to save the extra embryos for possible future implantation.
If the family decides to have more children, using the extra embryos will save
money and time. Even if the family might think right now that one child is all
they want, they may change their mind in a year or two. If my friend opts to throw
away her extra embryos now and does want more children later, she will have to
go through the uncomfortable, emotional, and expensive process of taking fertility
drugs and harvesting her eggs. Freezing embryos is also becoming a very popular
insurance policy of sorts for families trying to conceive through in vitro fertilization.
If the embryos placed into my friend's uterus do not survive, the three or four
other embryos waiting in the freezer show not all has been lost. Society would
not frown upon the family for making the practical decision to save the embryos.
In fact, it would help heal the hea
C.P.
Plano West Senior High
10/11/01
I would be certain that my friend knew that any child, no matter how conceived,
is a blessing. With some spending near $10,000 each procedure, extreme hopes are
invested in in vitro fertilization. With those two main points in mind we would
begin exploring the options for the extra embryos. Throwing them away I would
tell her shouldn’t even be an option. If this procedure was ineffective for her,
she could try again or give someone else the blessing of a child. The other option
of saving the extra embryos for future implantation would also be a possibility.
Although there is a fee for holding embryos, if she ever wanted to further extend
her family the opportunity would be there. Donating the unused embryos to another
family would also be a notable option. Giving someone the gift of life and making
them able to extend their family would be such an honorable thing, which could
never be forgotten. The final option available for the leftover embryos of using
them for research aimed at making in vitro fertilization safer and more efficient
for other women in the future is also a good one. With hopes and dreams being
shattered due to the failure of this procedure, more extensive research could
be done to make failure rare occurrence. I think that combining three of the possibilities
would make the perfect option. If she could, I would suggest that she save the
leftover embryos. They will be saved for her for a certain amount of time and
if she doesn’t use them then another family may use them. If the other family
in turn also does not use them, then they may be given to research.
E.N.
Plano West Senior High School
10/11/01
I think you should donate the embryos to another person so you would not waste
anything. But I also belive that it is the womans personal wants that she likes.
J L D
kaufman high school
10/11/01
I believe that my friend's extra embryos should be used for scientific research
of any sort. Use of embryos for medical purposes should not be considered abortion.
Any extra embryos used today could lead to less embryos prepared in the future.
If it helps advance the human race's knowledge of the medical field, there is
nothing wrong with testing the extra embryos.
E.M.
Plano West Senior High School
10/11/01
For many people, this would be an impossible decision. My opinion would actually
be a mix off all 4 choices. First consider the friend's health background. If
her family had a history of birth defects or hereditary diseases I would not choose
to donate them to another person, depending on the severity of the disease or
defect. If she thought of having more offspring in the future, then I would suggest
that she save the extra embryos for further implantation. I would strongly advise
her not to throw them away; there are always better uses for the embryos such
as stated "use them for research." In a situation when the friend does not plan
or know any of this information then a suggestion for her would be to either;
donate them to anoth
G.K.
Plano West Senior High School
10/11/01
Regarding the questions asked about the embryos, I agree with two of the four
decisions listed. My second choice would be to donate them to another person,
giving someone else a chance to have in vitro fertilization. My first choice is
to use the embryos for research aimed at making in vitro fertilization safer and
more efficient. If it's not completely safe, then there could be an outbreak of
unnecessary problems, thus making research for safty needed. The embryos wouldn't
be able to grow without the carrier in the future. Room for improvement is available
at anytime.
KAD
Plano West Senior High
10/11/01
I have to say that using them for research would be the correct decision at least
for me. By doing this you could give the researchers the posibility of investigating
even more about embryos and maybe they could manage to develop a new method in
which embryos are not wasted, so no other people have to be in the same situation
that my friend is suposed to be dealing with. I know it doesnt sound very good
to experiment with what could possibly could have been your son but this is the
only alternative good enough that can help people not to be placed under a situation
like this.
10/11/01
The advice that would give my friend would be to allow the leftover embryos to
be used in research. If the embryos were given to research, scientists and doctors
would be able to better understand how to EFFICIENTLY conduct in vitro fertilization
in order to make it safer for their patients. Safety for a doctor's patient should
be a doctor's first priority. So by donating the embryos, my friend would be benefiting
others' safety by allowing doctors to gain more knowledge about a mysterious and
new technique for fertilization.
S.J.
Plano West High School
10/11/01
The decision of what to have done with leftover embryo eggs is a very personal
question. A lot of thought should be put into the decision before coming to a
conclusion. I think that the left over embryos should either be saved for implantation
in the future or donated to another person. I believe that life begins once the
egg has been fertilized. Therefore, I would not throw away or donate a baby to
research. The decision of what to do with leftover embyos is a very personal question
that should be thought about very carefully.
SD
Plano West Senior High
10/11/01
Choosing to have assisted reproduction by in vitro fertilization is a big decision.
What to do with the leftover embryos is an even bigger decision. I understand
that you have four choices regarding what your actions could be. I would not recommend
saving the extra embryos for possible implantation in the future, because you
never know what could happen by then. You could decide that having one child is
enough, and the extra embryos would be wasted. I would, however, recommend donating
them to another person. Some people are physically unable to have children, by
any means. If the mother's eggs are bad, there is no way she could have her own
child. By giving her your extra embryo, this other woman is now able to have the
child that she has always wanted. I definitely do not recommend throwing them
away. Think of the women who would die to have a child, but cannot. These embryos
of yours could be their salvation. Also, this could raise quite a controversy.
Some people may feel that these embryos should be considered actually living people,
and you throwing them away would be like committing murder. The only other alternative
to donating them to another person would be using them for research aimed at making
in vitro fertilization safer and more efficient for other women in the future.
Though this could also be considered killing the embryos, this would also help
the millions of women in the future who hope to have children via in vitro fertilization.
Plano West Senior High School
10/11/01
If my friend had ever asked me for advice regarding what she should do with her
left over embryos, I would suggest donating them for research aimed at making
vitro fertilization safer. If she is having this procedure done now, in the future
her kids might have to undergo this same process and use vitro fertilization to
have kids of their own. To throw the embryos away would be a waste, and would
solve nothing. Letting her embryos be used in research would be the most beneficial
for the future, and leave way for more improvements in this technique called vitro
fertilization.
10/09/01
My close friend has visited a fertility clinic which specializes in assisting
in reproduction by the technique known as in vitro fertilization. Due to the fact
that the procedure is inefficient, the clinic tends to prepare anywhere from 3-5
extra embryos. Prior to the treatment, the clinic asked my friend what she would
like to have done with any of the left over fertilized eggs. She was not too familiar
with the options available to her therefore she consulted me. As a friend, I gave
her advice which would be the most beneficial to her. I first reviewed the possible
options that were available to her. I immediately ruled out the option of throwing
the left over fertilized eggs away because there is so much demand for them elsewhere,
and she had invested so much money into the procedure that it would be illogical
to just merely throw the fertilized eggs away. Furthermore, throwing away fertilized
eggs is such a controversial topic amongst many individuals as well.
A.P.
Plano West Senior High School
10/09/01
I agree with choices 1,3 and 4. If the procedure is inefficient, then it the saved
embryos could be used. I would tell my friend that choice 4 would be okay to do,
because it is for the advancement of the in vitro fertilization procedure. If
the procedure was efficient or if she did not want to do the procedures anymore,
I would encourage my friend to throw the embryos away. I do not agree with choice
2. I would tell my friend that donating her eggs to someone else that she possibly
would not know is totally unethical. Those are her eggs, and if she gave them
to someone else and that woman had a baby, it would actually be my friend's natural
baby. She would possibly not know about that baby. I f my friend decided to donate,
I would encourage her to give the eggs to someone she was close to, like a relative
or close friend. This would allow her to be apart of the baby's life. In vitro
fertilization is a good and important procedure. With certain care and guidelines
it is ethical and I support it.
A.McC.
Plano West
10/09/01
Since embryos often "spoil" quickly after they are extracted and throwing them
away would be a waste, she should donate them to making vitro fertilization safer.
Giving them to another family may be a possibility, but the later repercussions
(questions from the child, custody battles (yes! They do happen over embryos!)
and the like...) may be more painful than expected. It would depend on the maturity
level of my friend.
R.E.C.
Wylie High School
10/09/01
Vitro fertilization, a special technique, performed around the world is extremely
successful in many cases. It has its up and downs, and it is a major topic of
discussion. Many people believe in the method, while others disagree. In my personal
opinion I'm totally for it. The process fulfills the dreams of couples trying
to have a baby. Not everyone is as fortunate. Individuals may suffer from health
problems, ovary problems, or a weak reproductive system. Many more things can
be wrong, but vitro fertilization gives you a second chance. If my friend asked
me what she should do with her leftover embroys I would suggest she save them.
Especially for possible implantation in the future. She could make someones day
by donating them, or implanting them in women who can't make eggs. Throwing them
away is absurd. It's just a waste of perfectly good eggs. I would deffiantly donate
mine if I had the opportunity. I would feel like I was doing a good deed. This
topic tends to be very touchy, but I have always been for it.
10/09/01
This is a very touchy subject to many humans across the nation. Many possibilities
can be thought of, but in my personal opinion, saving the extra embroys for possible
implantation in the future is the best. If you saved the extra embroys you could
grant the wish of those unfortunate women not able to have kids. They would be
very well blessed with the extra embroys supplied. Being pregnant is a honor,
not all are able to have kids. Throwing the embroys away is just a waste of perfectly
good eggs. She is even lucky she can produce eggs. Think of those women who cannot
produce eggs. Donating them to another person basically is the same thing as saving
them for extra implantation in the future. Donating eggs would make people happy
and self confident. Fulfilling the dreams of individuals less fortunate than others
would fall along the lines of donating your eggs. Vitro fertilization is an amazing
technique performed around the world. It gives people to opportunity to become
pregnant. They should deffiantly keep up with the technique.
10/09/01
The result of this situation is definently in the hands of the one this is personally
affecting. I would not want the embryos to be just thrown away and wasted. I think
the embroys should be donated to another person if they were not going to be used.
s.m.
Kaufman High School
10/09/01
A woman can pay around $10,000 for just one try at implementation because in vitro
is not covered by insurance. For that reason, she should pay more to keep any
leftover blastocytes frozen in a fertility clinic since there is no guarantee
of success in the procedure and she might decide to have more children in the
future. In four or five years when she is positive she does not want to have another
child, it would be kind and generous to donate her embryos to a friend or anyone
else. Many women cannot produce eggs biologically but want to have a child they
have given birth to. If there are no other takers for the embryos, I am a firm
believer in stem cell research and the possibilities it may hold for medical discoveries
in areas such as Parkinson's or Alzheimer's disease. She would be making a contribution
to science and would no longer have to pay the cost of keeping her eggs frozen
in the clinic. The only option that does not make any sense is to throw these
embryos away when other people could greatly benefit from them. The argument from
the religious right that we would be using premature lives cannot be applied because
we would be throwing away these lives anyway. It would be better to use these
premature lives to save many more lives in the future.
A.Y.
Plano West Senior High
10/09/01
In my opinion, I would first tell my friend to listen to her own intuition and
not solely base her decision on what everyone else has to say. However, if she
really wanted my opinion, I would lean towards option #4, and use the extra embryos
for research in order to make in vitro fertilization safe and more efficient for
women in the future. Not only will this help make this process more secure, it
will be something more women would consider in the future once it becomes more
efficient. As long as the embryos are used in a productive and beneficial manner,
any option would be a good one in my eyes.
L.K.
Plano West Senior High
10/09/01
My advice towards this situation would be to use the extra embryos for research
aimed at making in vitro fertilization because it would be good for the economy
to help women in the future. That would also be a smart choice because the women
will feel good about herself for what she did to help other women or the scientists
the best reason for this is the benefit that it saves a lot of effort.
jb
10/09/01
I think my friend should save the extra embryos for possible implantation in the
future or use them for research aimed at making in-vitro fertilization safer and
more efficient for other women in the future. For one thing, I wouldn't like it
if I gave my embryos that were already fertilized to another women and she conceived
the child I always wanted. Second thing, throwing the embryos away is just like
getting an abortion and killing the fetus inside you, which to me is killing a
child that you just wanted to play god over. I believe that if I had extra embryos,
I would contribute them to the medical research for the department of in-vitro
fertilization.
S.P.
Plano West Senior High School
10/09/01
I think the that the extra embryos should be used for reasearch to better aid
other women who have the same question in mind to use this project. The reasech
may be able to answer questions like: Is it safe, will it be a success, or will
the child come out fine whithout problems.
M.S.H.
Harwood
10/08/01
The first thing I would do is try to put myself in my friends shoes. What would
I do if It were me? I would encourage my friend not to simply throw away the embryos,
an option she might later regret, and is very wastefull. If she plans on having
other children, saving the embryos for future implantation would be the best option.
If she doesn't want to have more children, donating them to another woman would
be the best thing to do. I don't think that she sould donate her embryos to research,
because an embryo is a human life. I would stress that this is her desision to
make not mine, and she sould spend some time thinking it over.
M.C.
Azle High School
10/08/01
I believe this case's simplicity lies in the clear, but fluid choices. My friend
should only follow her gut and heart. My job would be to pose all the options,
circumstances, and ideas for her to mull over. If she believes that in the future
she might want to concieve again, and, again wouldn't be able to without assistance,
she might want to choose to save the extra embryos. That is also, if she doesn't
mind spending the money to do so. Donating her extra embryos would be a noble
thing, but only if she is strong enough to deal with the pain, will not regret
her decision, and will enjoy the good deed. Knowing my friend's values will also
play a key role in the helping proccess. If she is pro-life, destroying the embroys
is probably not a viable option. If she has no inclination, I probably would not
stress the disposal because of the ability to use the eggs in other ways.
A.H.
Azle High School
10/04/01
We think that the embryos should be donated to woman who are unable to produce
their own eggs. We feel that way because one of us will be unable to have children
and will hope to use this technology in the future.
HK,AS,AZ
10/04/01
I think if the person did not want to save them for later use, they should use
them for research. By doing so they would make it safer and easier for couples
in the future who want to have a baby using this method. It would also mean that
less embryos would be needed in future attempts at fertilization. On the other
hand if a person is unsure of using the embryos for research, they could donate
them to someone else who could not have a baby on their own.
M.A.
Wylie High School
10/04/01
First, the decision is purely situational. All decisions are left up to the person
to whom it is directly affecting. Personally, I would not choose to destroy the
embryos after they have been extracted from the body. Scientific research could
be, and should be, performed in order to make in vitro fertilization safer in
the medical field. Also, if the first embryo is not successfully embedded, the
extra embryos could be used for more attempts. In another scenario, embryos could
be donated to families in need. Sometimes, personal conflicts interfere with a
person's ability to donate what is a "part" of them. However, others may not have
difficulties in donating the embryos. Basically, the entire ordeal is situational
and highly adverse, depending upon the patients. Our government can not regulate
ethics and opinions, so these types of decisions will always be left up to those
experiencing the situation.
K.L.H.
Wylie High School
10/04/01
I would recommend all of the following options except throwing them away. By saving
the extra embryos for possible implantation in the future it can be benifical
to the person if later on she decides to have another baby. If she donated them
to another person, she would be allowing others the opportunity to experience
having a baby. Or she could use them for research aimed at making in vitro fertilization
safer and more efficient for other women in the future. And by doing that she
could help further the chances of having a 100% success rate. But I would tell
her that the decision is truly her own.
E.C.
Princeton High School
10/04/01
I would suggest that you donate the embryos to another person. Why be selfish
and decide to throw them away. What if there was a person that would benefit from
them? What would you have to lose? The person that gets the embryo doesn't even
know who it's from. Its not like you could be blamed for a birth defect! much
of this is a reply to the message sent by LC @ HHS.
Ian
Princeton High School
10/04/01
I would hope that "My Friend" would already have some sort of idea of what she
and her husband would do. I don't believe it is a choice the woman should make
by herself, because the child belongs to the father also. (Unless the fertilization
is with donor sperm). I would tell "My Friend" that if placed in her situation,
I would mostly likely save the embryos if I was planning to have another child.
If not, the I would not throw them away because this is a waste of life. After
this accident in New York, life should be valued. The chance to give others life,
is truly a gift. So I would tell her to donate these embryos to someone else.
J.C.
Princeton High School
10/04/01
I think that you should donate the extra eggs to a resarch facility. If the
scientist can find a way to make invetro fertilizition better, more power to
them.
10/04/01
I think the eggs should be saved for future plans because it is reasonable to
save them for your self rather than give them away or killing them. They are yours
to keep so why give them away. You never know what might happen.
A.Q.
Princeton High School
10/04/01
I would choose to not have the process done in the first place, i would choose
to adopt one of the many abandoned children of the world. In the case that my
spouse and I did choose to have the process done, I would choose to have the embryos
saved and given to someone else. However, I question the fact that a person would
carry another person's baby. It seems to me that when this occurs, people have
started playing "God" by altering the fascinating process that is conception.
10/04/01
I think that you should donate them to other people to help them have children.
If you want a child, have no other means of doing so, and their spouse unfertile
you should be able to acquire donated embryos.
10/04/01
My friend and I feel the best option would be to donate the extra embryos for
research. Since she has already donated them it would be wasteful to destroy them
but risky to give them to someone she does not know. By donating her embryos to
research she would be aiding future parents in their quest for a child. Therefore;
we feel this would be the most ethical and beneficial choice.
S
Princeton High School
10/04/01
If it was me, I would throw away the embryos. I wouldn't want anyone else to raise
my kid without me knowing about it. If they need my embryos for testing, I would
probably donate them.
PHS
10/04/01
I think that my frien should save the embroyos for future use (if decided). If
she doesn't decide to save them or if she just doesn't want any more children
then I would suggest them to research to possibly help future women who might
consider this procedure.
B.D.W.
Princeton High School
10/04/01
I think that throwing them away would be pointless since they are a form of life.
If she wanted more children in the future, she could keep them and use them later.
If not, then she could donate the embryos to someone that needs them. If she didn't
feel comfortable donating them to anyone, by giving them to researchers, at least
someone could benefit. Practically any choice she chooses would be better than
just throwing the embryos out in the garbage.
10/04/01
I would advise the person to save the embryos, in case the first one were to fail.
Now, assuming the fertilization was successful, we would have the following options:
1. Donate to research Pro: future families would be benefitted by what could be
learned Con: Some people have ethical objections to such an 'exploitation' of
what they might consider a living being. 2. Donate to another family Pro: The
embryo would get to grow up, and have a family and a home, and maybe a happy life,
and the family would greatly benefit from the child. Con: Once again, some people
may have an ethical objection about giving away a part of themselves. Con: You
may grow curious about what happened to 'your child' (adoption syndrome) 3. Throw
away Pro: This would be the option for people who do not wish to 'exploit' these
embryos or give them away. Con: If you have an ethical dillema with donation the
embryos to science on the account of them being living beings, this would basically
be murder to you. Con: The embryo would be wasted, and neither would another family
get it, nor would science be benefitted from this. So, my advice would vary depending
on the friend asking me for this advice. Every person is different, and you cannot
generalize about ethical issues.
P.L.
Princeton High School
