This tv show is about a man named Brian who lives in Boston. When he was in college he donated sperm to be used for parents/a parent who could not have children. Brian not thinking of the consequences donated because of the fact that he would get paid. As of now Brian has around 70-75 kids because of his donation. Brian does not consider these children "his own kids". For some of the parents it was hard to tell their children they were not conceived like other children. One woman had gotten two children from Brian's donation and as for her daughter she believes that her mom and Brian are going to get married one day. This is giving children false hopes about their donor father. But, this tracking of donor parents and donor children can be beneficial too. One donor child was actually glad to find out she had half siblings.I have a few diffrerent questions that you guys can answer about this story. Please choose atleast two of the following four questions to answer.
1. How do you feel about artifical insemination? Would your opinion change if it was a couple vs. a single person who wants a child? Or if it was a lesbian couple vs. a straight couple?
2. Do you think that men should be compensated for their donation?
3. Do you think more people should consider alternatives? (i.e. adoption)
4. How would you feel if someone you know was in the same situation as this guy Brian?
http://www.mystyle.com/mystyle/b7656_74_kids_more_on_way_style_presents.html
I think artificial insemination is beneficial to those who cannot produce children, and I don’t have anything bad to say about it. Some people might view it as disgusting and unnecessary because there are other options. But some people want to experience the feeling of bearing a child. For example, in the movie “Baby Mama”, Tina Fey’s character is infertile, becomes upset because she wants to have the experience and her own child. Even though she does not use artificial insemination, she still had the same thought process of wanting a child no matter where it came from. I think despite whether it is a couple or single parent, either way they are willing to have a child by all means necessary. If both or that single person agrees it is a reasonable and an okay thing to do, then it’s their decision. This also applies to a lesbian couple verses a straight couple. As long as it is okay with both people in the relationship, and they are willing to deal with the future of their children (asking questions or telling them the truth) then it is completely practical to go through with the process.
ReplyDeleteI think men should be compensated for their donation. It is their choice to do it, just like it is someone’s choice to go into a certain field of work. I know that might seem like a huge difference between the two, but it takes a lot for men to be willing to go through with it, knowing that they will be having little versions of themselves running around in the future. It could be a weird thought and then they might not go through with it, denying a woman a chance to have a child. It is a lot of things to consider before going through with donating sperm.
I believe that artificial insemination is a perfectly viable option for couples that are not capable of having children for any number of reasons. Often times, adoption or other alternatives are too costly for some couples, but to limit a couple their right to have kids simply on the basis of financial status is completely unjust. Furthermore, my opinion would not change simply because the discussion would include a homosexual couple, or a single person. As stated earlier, no one should be denied the right to have children because of their socioeconomic status.
ReplyDeletePeople who are in this position should look at every possible alternative before arriving at their decision to either adopt or go on with artificial insemination, or any other process. I think it’s important to think about and weigh heavily the morality of each choice, and how happy a certain choice would make a person or couple. Also, with every choice, the happiness and well-being of the child or child-to-be should be considered as it too is highly important. Either way, people should not be denied the right to have a child.
I agree with Lloyd and Amy. I believe that a person should not be denied the right to bear a child. Artificial insemination is a newer method of helping men and women become fathers and mothers. This raises the question of what constitutes a "fit" mother or father. In my opinion, as long as the child is provided with food, shelter, and love, anyone should have the right to raise a child. Plenty of children are raised from single mothers and in some instancess single fathers. Half of all marriages end in a divorce, so many children conceived the natural way can end up living with only one of their parents. Gays and lesbians should have to right to raise children from donors as well. I have two gay neighbors that recently adopted a three year old boy and a seven year old girl, and they finally have the family they have always wanted. When I met the kids, I could tell how happy they were and that it did not matter to them that they had two dads. In most cases, other options (like adoption) have already been considered.
ReplyDeleteI think that men should get paid for their donation. They are spending their time to help someone's dreams come true. Without monetary reward, there would be less motivation for a man to donate his sperm.
The topic of artificial insemination has been a new plot for many movies. In The Kids Are Alright, a lesbian couple raises children from a donor, and when the children grow up they get to meet their "father". Like Lauren said, this can deeply affect a child. While Hollywood can glamorize the topic, movies like this one can help a person make their own decision.
I believe that artificial insemination is perfect for a couple that may be infertile or having trouble conceiving a child. I also believe that it’s a viable option for single or homosexual people. Everyone should be given an equal chance at life. However, to avoid the idea that your young daughter believes you will get married some day, I think it is the responsibility of the parent to sit her down at an appropriate age and tell her how she was conceived to avoid confusion and false hope.
ReplyDeleteI also believe that more people should consider alternatives like adoption. Currently there are about 200 million orphaned children in the world. Lloyd said that adoption might be costly for some couples. Artificial insemination may be just as costly depending on if your partner’s sperm is used compared to a donor’s, where you go to have the procedure done, and whether your insurance will cover any of it. Also, there is only usually a 5-20% chance of becoming pregnant each cycle. This means that these costs could be doubled or tripled depending on how many times it needs to be done to conceive. At this point it may be less expensive to adopt and you would be giving a loving child a home.
I think artificial insemination is a great alternative for bearing children if you are having trouble getting pregnant or if adoption is too expensive. This certainly should not change whether the person is a single parent or if the couple is gay or lesbian. If they were to adopt, it would be the same situation for the child being raised as far as parents go. Anyone, no matter marital status or sexual orientation, should be granted the right to have children. I think men should definitely be compensated for their donation. By donating, they are sort of accepting a responsibility. They are the reason that some women are able to have children of their own. They gave some women an unbelievable miracle that they once couldn't have and enjoy. It is their own choice to donate and I think it is right that they are compensated for it.
ReplyDeleteI feel that artificial insemination is good thing for those who want a child. Also i feel it is a good thing for homosexual couples who want a child as well. Artificial insemination gives couples who cannot conceive a kid the ability to start a family. Artificial insemination gives parents another option on starting a family. When a couple adopts a child, it is very different to them because the child is not part of either of them. Insemination gives mean and women a chance to be a father and a mother.
ReplyDeleteI do believe that the men should get paid for their donations. These men are helping out people all around the world by giving them a child and allowing them to be parents. If I knew someone in Brian's situation or if i was in Brian's situation, I would feel good about myself because now these people who were incapable of having a child now have the opportunity to be parents
Agreeing with some of the previous posts, I believe that artificial insemination is in fact a beneficial alternative for those who cannot conceive children. Whether it be a single mother, a straight couple, or a lesbian couple, I strongly believe that all three deserve an equal and fair opportunity to be able to raise a child of their own if that is what they desire. Although there is the option of adopting, there are some individuals who truly just want to experience the nine months of carrying a child and giving birth. Some couples may just want the fulfillment that half of their child's DNA at least comes from one of the parents. It is all about preference, and whichever path one desires to take they should all have an equal opportunity. I also do believe that men should be compensated for their donation. Although the donation should strictly be a donation out of good will and kindness for those who cannot conceive, it does take a lot out of someone emotionally if they are aware that there could be 50+ offspring in the world that could be theirs. It could be hurtful to them also not having any sort of relationship with any of them as well. Although it should not be mandatory to give the donor money for his deed, I do believe that he does deserve a little bit of recognition for the act of kindness.
ReplyDeleteI do not think there is anything wrong with artificial insemination. I think it's great that people who are unable to have a child have the opportunity to do so. It should not matter if it is a couple, a single person, straight, gay, or lesbian. This is bringing them that joy of parenthood that they long for.
ReplyDeleteI think people should consider adoption, but if they want that experience of giving birth themselves then they should definitely go for the artificial insemination. Also they should think about how each option could affect the child growing up.
I think men should be compensated because they are donating a part of them to help out someone else who is in need.
I believe artificial insemination is wrong and should be stopped. Although it allows couples that cannot conceive bear a child, artificial insemination can cause many problems to the children. First off, if it is a single woman, than that child will be raised without a father which can be problem to their nurturing. “Growing up without a father may be a root cause of many social ills—from crime to academic failure (http://mensightmagazine.com/articles/popenoe/nofathers.htm).” This quote, from the book Life Without a Father, by David Popenoe, explains how children who grow up without a father will have more social problems throughout their life. These innocent children brought up in this situation will have trouble in life, because their father is sperm donor, and their mother just wanted to bear a child. Another problem with artificial insemination is the increased chance for incest. Incest is by definition, the sexual intercourse between close relatives. The man Brian that is mentioned above has at least 74 children across the United States, and other sperm donors probably have similar amounts of children. The article, http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/06/health/06donor.html?_r=1&adxnnlx=1317762791-sgNgzYUNMlVsbZ9oB3, is about a man who has 150 children, and it discusses the many problems having that many children with related genetics can cause. These children may be told how they were born or not, but that does not stop these children from meeting their half-siblings. How would these children know they were half-siblings? Some of these children could end up getting married to each other, and bearing their own children. This can cause abnormalities in their children because the half- siblings have similar genes. This domino affect now started with a woman who wanted to bear a child and spread all the way down to her grandchildren. The final issue with artificial insemination is, like Mikaela said, there are around 200 million orphaned children in the world waiting for a loving family. If a couple does not have enough money to adopt a child, do they have enough money to raise a healthy child? This is the type of question we need to ask ourselves. Is artificial insemination hurting more people than it is helping? Are the benefits really worth putting the child and future generations at risk for many problems?
ReplyDeleteI believe artificial insemination is a great alternative for couples who are unable to bear children or have difficulties reproducing. Marital status, as well as sexual orientation, should be irrelevant when it comes to using this procedure. As long as the parent(s) is (are) willing to love and fully support the child, she (they) should be allowed to partake in such procedures without facing controversy.
ReplyDeleteThe question of compensation for donating sperm is a difficult topic. Men are donating their sperm to couples to help them conceive. Unlike surrogate mothers, sperm donors do not have the multiple hospital bills and check-ups; they are not altering their bodies or potentially jeopardizing their health (example: pregnancy complications). Therefore, compensation is unnecessary for sperm donors. However, if men so chose to donate for money, there should be a limit on how many times a man can contribute.
I believe it is the woman or couple’s choice to consider adoption versus artificial insemination. In an ethic’s debate I witnessed in high school, this topic was presented, and the arguments are as follows:
-For couples not using donated sperm, the child being conceived will still have the DNA of both parents. Therefore, it is understandable that the couple chose artificial insemination over adoption, if the couple is looking to reproduce a genetic offspring.
-This argument that could then be presented to same sex couples: why not turn to adoption, over artificial insemination, when there are thousands of children in the world without loving or supporting homes, and the child produced will not have a genetic makeup similar to both parents?; why not take in a genetically unrelated child that is already born and in need of a home?
-The counter argument is that this would deny one (or both) of the women the opportunity to bear her (their) own child, and that child would have her (their) DNA. It would also wholly deny them the experience of giving birth to a child. The same reasoning would then stand for a single woman choosing artificial insemination over adoption.
-Adoption costs are extremely high, which prevents couples and single women from being able to adopt.
In all cases, regardless of marital status or sexual orientation, it is perfectly acceptable to use artificial insemination as long as the parent(s) involved can responsibly deal with the questions the child may ask in the future involving conception, parents, etc.