Two weeks ago I attended a national conference in Arlington, VA, on embryo adoption and donation. Most presenters argued for the “life begins at the moment of conception” position that assigns personhood to fertilized eggs in the embryonic state and the moral imperative to care and plan for them responsibly. Embryo donation and adoption was the thrust of the “care plan.”
Acknowledging that the practice is “fraught with legal, moral, ethical and spiritual issues,” Tom Atwood, President and CEO of the National Council for Adoption in Alexandria, VA, called for legal clarity and suggested that this practice needs to develop new terminology to describe the process. Calling embryo donation “adoption” confuses the clear, legal meaning of that already well-defined and generally accepted term, argued Atwood. Adoption means the embryo is a person while donation and transfer mean the embryo is property. The distinction begs the question of whether one can adopt a piece of property and make it a member of one’s family or own a person.
So, what’s in a name? Atwood suggested the phrase “placement for pregnancy and parenting,” shortened to “embryo placement” would identify the specific purpose of gifting one’s embryos to a receiving family and distinguishing this embryonic practice from others.
In this election year, few would argue against the power of the written and spoken word to sway thought and action. The feds/current administration has already awarded several millions to spin the story for the public. We have yet to see how law and practice will emerge to ensure that embryo placement is ethical and in the “best interest of the embryo.” Your thoughts?
Two weeks ago I attended a national conference in 
3 comments:
I totally agree with your statements. In fact, I would venture to say that if the phrase suggested by Atwood had been used all along, more of us who are pro-choice would have felt more comfortable with the concept. The "life begins at conception" issue is what disturbed me enough to abandon the idea. If instead, we look at this as a fertility treatment that results in non-related, genetically different child, significant enough to produce angst regarding abandonment for any child born of this procedure, then the parent education becomes significant to the triad.
Sonia Baxter
856-669-9943
I'm not really understanding the previous commenter's point.
I'm also not sure I understand Mr. Atwood's point because I don't see how Embryo Adoption (termed as such) threatens the institution of traditional adoption.
I think I can speak for any Embryo Adoption Parent when I say that we wish our children were recognized as children in the embryonic state and that we could do away with the concept of "property" entirely. The treatment as property is court-imposed, not parent-desired. At no time do we view or treat our children as property, despite the fancy footwork to create distinction between "human" and "person" and "life" and "potential life."
Embryo Adoption parents go through the same homestudy, the same adoption parenting education, and the same court certification as traditional adoption parents. In both of the country's established true Embryo Adoption programs (not donation-that's an entirely different program) the children born from this arrangement know of their adoption and are treated with the same respect as traditionally adopted children.
Functionally, this is an adoption, as concerns all relevant parties. Meaning no disrespect, the only ones confused on the issue seem to be the onlookers.
Thanks for contacting me. I look forward to conversing with you!
Hello
I just wanted to stop by and tell you I enjoy reading your blog. I am adopted and find such encouragement knowing you a adoptive parent as well as have and extensive knowledge and passion for adoption. I am the Director of Public Relations for a non-profit organization called World Orphans. We build family style church based orphan homes all over the world and our mission is simple E3 to reach each church…each child…each community. I would love for you to take a look at our website and let me know if you have any questions. (www.worldorphans.com) I hope you will have a glorious blessed day!
Jenna M. Howard
-Director of Public Relations
www.Worldorphans.org
Jennah@worldorphans.org
www.JennaMarieHoward.com
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