Second Child for Diane

IVF

1) Discuss the following:

Do you know any couples who have had IVF (in vitro fertilization) treatment? Was it successful?

Which of the options below do you think are acceptable courses of action for a couple who are unable to have children?

· IVF treatment in which the mother’s egg is fertilized with the sperm of her husband or partner

· IVF treatment using the mother’s egg and sperm from a sperm bank

· Paying another woman to have a baby using your husband’s sperm.

2) Read the article below. Mark these sentences T (true) or F (false):

Diane Blood died after a fight.

Stephen Blood is Liam’s father

Diane Blood was treated in Britain.

Diane Blood, the widow who spent two years fighting the courts for the right to have a child using her late husband’s sperm, is now pregnant with a second child also from his sperm.

Diane’s husband, Stephen Blood, became ill with meningitis in March 1995, aged 30. The couple had been trying to start a family. While Stephen lay dying in hospital, Diane persuaded doctors to remove and freeze a sample of his sperm.

The Human Fertilisation and Embryo Authority initially refused to allow Diane Blood to use the sperm because her husband had not given permission in writing. However, the appeal court later decided that she could take the sperm abroad for treatment under EU law. Her son, Liam, was born three and a half years after his father’s death.

Diane Blood said: “I’m an only child but Stephen had two sisters. He would have been delighted that Liam is to be raised with a full brother or sister, and that he is to be a father again”.

Finally, Diane Blood gave birth to her second child, another boy, Joel Michael, seven years after the removal of her dying husband’s sperm. All four grandparents were present. The baby was born in Britain, but Mrs. Blood had had to go to Belgium to be inseminated. One particular disappointment for Dianne was the refusal of the British authorities to allow her to put her husband’s name on her children’s birth certificates. There are thought to be about 40 women in Britain in a similar situation to Diane Blood.

3) With a partner, try to agree on one alternative from each of the following:

1. a. It was right that Stephen Blood’s sperm was removed. He would have agreed.

b. It was wrong that the sperm was removed without Stephen’s consent.

2. a. It was a disgrace that she could not be treated in Britain.

b. Britain is right to have such strict laws about this kind of thing.

3. a. Diane should not have been allowed to do this a second time.

b. It is crazy that government should become involved. This is a matter for the individual.

4. a. It is wrong to bring children into the world with no father present.

b. A single mother can be just as good a parent.

How do you think the parents of Stephen Blood felt at the birth of the first child? Do you think they are happy at the idea of another grandchild?

What is the situation in your country?

· The law is very strict and it is very difficult to do something like this.

· The law is very progressive and Diane Blood would have had no trouble doing what she did.

· My country has no official policy on things like this.

Дата добавления: 2014-12-29