Oocytes, in vitro fertilization, and the exploitation of young coed's...

The Motley Monk was grew slack-jawed and incredulous when he read a ZENIT article in which Denise Hunnell, MD, described how many of the nation's co-eds are being preyed upon by the multi-billion dollar fertility industry.

Why?

This fertile population of young women are likely to be seeking cash to pay their to educational expenses and debts.

To wit, Dr. Hunnell, notes, college campus newspapers advertise payments of tens of thousands of dollars for the donation of "oocytes," a female gametocyte or germ cell ("human egg") harvested for in vitro fertilization.  The ads depict the harvesting of oocytes as a simple process, carrying with it the altruistic benefit of helping an infertile couple achieve the dream of a having a child.

A "win-win" proposition, no? The donor relieves her financial worries and a happy family is created using her oocytes to manufacture an embryo.

The screening process always begins with the dehumanization of the egg supplier.  In addition, there many potential health dangers associated with ovarian hyperstimulation, the series of injections with powerful hormones that stimulate the maturation of dozens of oocytes in ovaries.  Then, too, infertile couples specify the ethnicity, height, weight, IQ, test scores, and medical history desired in their egg supplier and the egg supplier is evaluated against these criteria and matched with a buyer.

It gets worse, as Dr. Hunnell details in her article.  Also check out the documentary Eggsploitation.

Once again, The Motley Monk would note that Church teaching has been on the cutting edge concerning this ethical issue, asserting as late as 2000 that the harvesting and sale of human organs and tissues is immoral because it demeans human dignity and regards the human person as a commodity.

In the United States, the principle embodied in Church teaching was codified in the 1984 National Organ Transplantation Act, which specifically outlawed the commercialization of human organs and tissues.  Furthermore, U.S. jurisprudence would appear to support the federal government banning the fertility industry from profiting at the expense of young women.

All well and very good, indeed!

But, The Motley Monk would note, guess who Congress charged with implementing NOTA?

None other than the Secretary of Health and Human Services.  Today, that's Ms. Kathleen Sebelius, whose Obamacare regulations demonstrated blatant disregard for religious liberty and the exercise of conscience.

Will Ms. Sebelius protect young women from this degradation of life?

The Motley Monk isn't optimistic.


Let the discussion begin...



To read Dr. Hennell's article, click on the following link:
http://www.zenit.org/article-34302?l=english