IVF: Creating human life to destroy it

Monday, August 31, 2009

*Joan Marie Crown

English Spanish

Algunos de ustedes habr�n visto la nueva pel�cula �My Sister�s Keeper�. Esta pel�cula trata el tema real del �hermano salvador�. Se utilizan la medicina y la tecnolog�a para crear un ser humano gen�ticamente compatible que salvar� a un ni�o enfermo que necesite un donante. El personaje principal de la pel�cula se refiere a s� misma como un �beb� por dise�o�. Su consuelo es que, contrario a la mayor�a de los beb�s que llegan al mundo producto de �embarazos no deseados/no planificados�, ella era �deseada�, aunque fuera un producto, un tratamiento m�dico, un donante.

En un escrito de Jennifer Lahl, directora del Center for Bioethics and Culture Network, el proceso se explica de la siguiente manera: �Numerosos humanos embri�nicos son creados in vitro (FIV) utilizando el �vulo de la madre y el esperma del padre. Luego, con el uso de la tecnolog�a de pre-implantaci�n, se examinan los humanos embri�nicos y el que resulte gen�ticamente compatible es implantado en el vientre materno para que el beb� contin�e su crecimiento y desarrollo. Una vez nace el beb�, con frecuencia se guarda el cord�n umbilical porque ofrece una compatibilidad perfecta para el hermano enfermo. M�s adelante, la m�dula �sea, la sangre y hasta los �rganos pueden ser utilizados para el hermano enfermo�.

Adam Nash fue el primer hermano salvador en los Estados Unidos. Adam naci� en el a�o 2000 para rescatar a su hermana Mollie, a quien se le diagnostic� anemia de Fanconi. Los Nash crearon 30 humanos embri�nicos y se sometieron a cuatro series de fertilizaci�n in vitro, hasta finalmente producir a Adam, quien ten�a la compatibilidad que necesitaba Mollie. Adam fue escogido, pero no as� los otros 29 seres humanos, pues con su ADN no pod�an rescatar a Mollie. Esto le da un nuevo significado al t�rmino �rivalidad entre hermanos�.

Lahl dice que esto es �eugenesia de alta tecnolog�a�: ser escogido s�lo por tus genes �buenos� o estar destinado a la desaparici�n porque ten�as una estructura gen�tica equivocada o �mala�.

El tema de la FIV es muy delicado debido al gran n�mero de parejas que sufre a causa de la infertilidad, y que busca desesperadamente concebir su propio ni�o. Los avances tecnol�gicos han dado nuevas esperanzas a muchas parejas, pero con el progreso llega la carga de la responsabilidad �tica. Son demasiadas las personas que quieren concentrarse en la nueva vida hecha posible gracias a estas tecnolog�as, a las vidas que pueden ser salvadas, y reh�san considerar el lado inhumano del procedimiento para la FIV: se crea, se implanta y se destruye un exceso de humanos embri�nicos tras los ex�menes para determinar cu�les son los m�s saludables.

Lahl concluye diciendo que �en nuestro deseo de aliviar el sufrimiento, de buscar la sanaci�n y las curas, y de evitar la muerte, hemos cruzado una l�nea �tica muy brillante al utilizar una vida humana para el bien de otra� Es importante que nosotros, como sociedad, permanezcamos arraigados en creer en la dignidad inherente de todas las personas. Los derechos del hermano salvador son negados cuando, desde su primer aliento, se le utiliza como un medio para el fin�.

Joan Crown
Directora, Ministerio arquidiocesano del Respeto a la Vida

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Comments from readers

Joan Crown - 09/01/2009 04:15 PM

Thanks Brother Richard for your comments. I recently spoke to a Catholic doctor who, before his conversion experience, did the in-vitro fertilization procedure regularly. He talked about a couple he worked with who were so desperate for a child that they subjected themselves to one IVF procedure after another trying to conceive a healthy baby. Finally, after numerous procedures a beautiful child was born. What this doctor finally realized, after his eyes were opened to the truth, was that through the process 49 other children were conceived and then lost and he played a role in their deaths. He also talks about experiencing what we call "post abortion syndrome" as a result of his actions. He has finally come to healing with the help of Our Blessed Mother. May God have mercy on us.
Joan Crown

Richard DeMaria - 08/31/2009 10:28 AM

Joan: Thank you for your balanced introduction of a topic which presents a difficult moral issue, and your clear defense of the dignity of every human life. IVF does at first seem to be a very pro-life action on the part of couples who wish to have children but can't. How difficult it is to explain to such couples that this method often results in death. Your article expresses understanding of thier plight but a clear explanation of the moral implications of this path. Richard

Joan Crown - 09/01/2009 04:15 PM: Thanks Brother Richard for your comments. I recently spoke to a Catholic doctor who, before his conversion experience, did the in-vitro fertilization procedure regularly. He talked about a couple he worked with who were so desperate for a child that they subjected themselves to one IVF procedure after another trying to conceive a healthy baby. Finally, after numerous procedures a beautiful child was born. What this doctor finally realized, after his eyes were opened to the truth, was that through the process 49 other children were conceived and then lost and he played a role in their deaths. He also talks about experiencing what we call "post abortion syndrome" as a result of his actions. He has finally come to healing with the help of Our Blessed Mother. May God have mercy on us.
Joan Crown

Richard DeMaria - 08/31/2009 10:28 AM: Joan: Thank you for your balanced introduction of a topic which presents a difficult moral issue, and your clear defense of the dignity of every human life. IVF does at first seem to be a very pro-life action on the part of couples who wish to have children but can't. How difficult it is to explain to such couples that this method often results in death. Your article expresses understanding of thier plight but a clear explanation of the moral implications of this path. Richard