Sperm from the dead and IVF from prison

A New York woman has been granted
permission to harvest sperm from her husband’s body after he committed suicide –
and a convicted Spanish terrorist couple are having IVF treatment in prison.

Victoria Chege, of Manhattan, appealed to
the court to permit the procedure after her husband committed suicide on Monday
in Connecticut. She said she doesn’t want his death to interfere with their
desire for starting a family. Ms Chege said that if the procedure was a
success, the sperm would be given to a surrogate who is a friend of the family.
Doctors are doubtful as to the odds of success, because of the amount of time
that has passed since her husband’s death.

Meanwhile, convicted ETA terrorists
Fernando Garcia Jodra, 40, and his girlfriend Nerea Bengoa Zarisolo, 39, have
applied for IVF treatment from prison. The couple are being held in separate
prisons, and are only allowed to communicate via checked and censored letters.
However, under Spanish law the couple have the right to apply for IVF treatment
while imprisoned. If they conceive a child it will remain with the mother until
it is at least 3 years old.

Angeles Pedraza, president of the Victims
of Terrorism Association, said the treatment was unacceptable. “This is a kick
in the face for the victims,” she said. “How many families have been destroyed
by ETA’s barbarity? The only family unity they can enjoy is to go to the
cemetery to remember their dead.” ~ AP, Oct 16; News.com.au,
Oct 2

Jared Yee
human drama
IVF

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Michael Cook

Michael Cook edits BioEdge, a bioethics newsletter, and MercatorNet, an on-line magazine whose focus is human dignity. He writes from Sydney, Australia.

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