USS Clueless              Voyages of a restless mind

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Stardate 20010811.0448 (On Screen): I understand the emotional need people have for children of their own, but in some cases it is taking us into ethical places where I think we should not go. It's no longer just that they want children, but that they want them on their own terms. That raises the question of motivation: are you having kids for your own sake or for the sake of the kids themselves? Having kids is a sacrifice; if it's not for their benefit then you shouldn't be doing it. You don't have kids because they'll look good in the backseat of the BMW. When we get to the point of Baby King ("Have it your way!") then we've gone too far.

So it's even worse that we've reached the point of ordering a child from the baby store and then rejecting it upon delivery, as is going to happen in this case. "We'll take one, but not two." Sorry. That doesn't fly. The ethical decision to deliberately start the extraordinary process of in-vitro fertilization and use of a host-mother includes the ethical responsibility to accept the babies that result and live with them. If you've gone that far out of your way to create children, then you better have really examined your motives ahead of time and be ready to accept the results of what you've done. (discuss)

Update: Here's local coverage from San Diego, where the lawsuit was filed.

Update 20010814: Faced with publicity and a legal threat, the couple have found someone who is willing to take the babies.