“Octomom” Ethical Problems in the Nadya Suleman Case.pptVIP

* * * * * * . * * * *  Others say can’t use adoption standard b/c difference between “on the ground” child and “potential child” Different standard b/c of fertility issues that we wouldn’t do if “in the wild” Fertility clinics poor judges of who would make good parent. Inappropriate role for MDs. Some in bioethics have argued that Suleman’s doc should have turned her away on acct of her existing obligations and her financial status; something like an adoption standard should have been applied to her. Caplan: If someone comes to a clinic with a history of child abuse, active drug addiction, and a rap sheet w/ serious felonies, should the doctor simply say, “If you have the money, I will make all the babies you want?” That gives cash and carry a whole new meaning. We have rules governing who can get involved with adoption and foster care. Shouldn’t these minimal requirements be extended to fertility treatment? Johnston argues that adoption cases usually concern an existing child – thus morally bound to investigate would-be parents. Embryos are potential children, not existing. UK does investigate similar to adoption. Many ethicists do not want fertility clinics to judge who would make a good parent b/c they are not suited to that kind of decisio * * “Octomom”: Ethical Problems in the Nadya Suleman Case Jan Hare, Ph.D. Human Development and Family Studies Dept. The Wild West of Medicine: Infertility Industry Unresolved: Is infertility a disease or a misfortune? Many clinics oversell their success rates No centralized licensing to enforce guidelines No regulation of infertility industry Anything goes if patients can pay. In-Vitro Fertilization Begin oral contraception GnRH Agonist Administration Ovarian Stimulation Monitoring of Follicle Development Final Oocyte Maturation and hCG Administration Transvaginal Oocyte Retrieval Insemination of Oocytes Embryo Transfer Progesterone Supplements Pregnancy Test Patients’ “dispositional authority” o