Assisted Reproduction The Initial Testing example essay topic

The Family Created Kristina N Simmons Professor Hawkins English 320 February 6, 2005 The dream of a getting married, starting a family, a house with a white picket fence, two kids and a dog eludes a huge number of couples in America and abroad. The perfect picture of a family is usually made complete with the addition of children. There are now more options to create a family than the traditional natural conception. The advances in technology have opened up the option of assisted reproduction such as artificial insemination, fertilization, donor egg or sperm, and assisted hatching. Another option for family creation is adoption. Each option has advantages and drawbacks.

With either option there are emotional, financial, and moral issues associated with these options. Finding a perfect fit for the fertility impaired couple, each option, assisted reproduction, or adoption, must be reviewed and weighed for the emotional, moral, and financial aspects, to see whether the end justifies the means. It is important to explain the emotional issues associated with infertility. A couple who has tried for many months to conceive a child and find that there are physical issues that are causing this continued problem, are emotionally mortified.

The shock causes feelings of loss and failure that at affect the very core of a person, delivers a terrible blow to their self esteem and self value. Once the shock has passed and decisions need to be made about the option of assisted reproduction or adoption, a whole new slew of emotions arise. In assisted reproduction the initial testing and prodding and digging into the couples lives and sexual history causes a huge amount stress and emotional strain. There are skeletons in the closet for most people that are exposed, in an attempt to find a cause for the infertility. The secrets exposed very possibly can lead to a breakdown of the trust respect and bonds for a couple, discussions then become loaded and judgmental.

Once the testing is over and the relationship is back on a somewhat even keel, the treatment plan comes along. The person who is found to have the main infertility problem suffers additional emotional trauma besides being the cause of the problem they are now being pumped with either pills or shots of hormones. These hormones cause such a change in that persons chemistry their emotions are swinging from moment to moment. The time comes near for the plan to come to fruition, time for the additional procedure for the assisted reproduction, be it surgery, injection, or planned intercourse, the pressure is on and emotions are running high. The usual time from initial testing to this step in the plan can be anywhere from twelve weeks to six months, and all the waiting is a tremendous pressure in itself. The next step is to wait yet again, to see if the procedure was successful, This final wait is usually about ten days.

Success or failure brings about a new set of emotional challenges, then there is the bill. Adoption on the other hand can be just as or even more emotionally charged than assisted reproduction. There are several evaluations and tests that a couple must undergo in the adoption process. There is a medical assessment that consist of having a blood tests, mental evaluations, history of all major illnesses, hospitalizations, surgeries, accidents, communicable diseases, psychiatric treatments, alcohol and drug treatments family medical history and a horde of other items, which cause the same type of emotional strain as the assisted reproductive tests.

There is a home inspection that requires the department of health to come and investigate the couples dwelling for a number of things such as cleanliness, safety, lead, temperature of the water and refrigerator, placement of fire extinguishers, and smoke detectors. The preparations needed to ensure that the home will meet with the stringent guidelines of the inspector is a emotionally straining endeavor. There is training, fingerprinting and criminal investigations that all take a number of weeks to start and complete. There are so many people involved in the process that it may seem to become a endless interview and evaluation. Frustration and hopelessness begin to set in, yet the waiting goes on.

Once all the processing is completed to determine if they are qualified to be parents, matching and placement of a child is an even longer process. Placement of a child in the home brings a new set of issues, open adoption, continued contact with the birth parents, how to tell the child they are adopted, and the list goes on, then come the bills. A moral issue clouds the decision for many couples when considering assisted reproduction. If it was meant for them to have children, they would not need any assistance.

Many may ask what are the moral ramifications of manufacturing artificially a process that is suppose to be natural and from above. Although many couples have different religious beliefs and reasons for having to consider using assisted reproduction, each religion has basic issues of the artificial creation of life. Some are told that their lack of faith in God has caused them this torment. The immoral implications of their ministers, deacons and friends also contribute to their decision.

The moral question in adoption is not loaded as for assisted reproduction. Adoption has been seen for ages as something that is morally correct. The few questions may come up as moral dilemmas. If and when to tell a child that they are adopted, staying in touch with the birth parents or explaining why the child was up for adoption in the first place. The preceding questions may seem clear cut, but the individuals in that situation can vouch that it is more difficult that anyone could ever imagine. The financial aspects of assisted reproduction is astronomical.

The initial testing price is in the range of $3000.00, just to find the root of the fertility problem. The range of costs for the medications associated with the procedures can be anywhere from $10,000 to $18,000 for one cycle. Many couples do not have insurance policies that will cover the costs, because it is generally deemed as elective. For adoption the costs can be free if state adoption is a consideration. The children that are wards of the court have been victims of some sort of abuse. Infants usually have been abandoned or are drug addicted.

The time involved in seeking termination of parental rights is a drawn out process. The other options for adoption would be either private domestic adoption or foreign adoption. The costs for either are in the ranges of $8,000 to $25,000. In review, both assisted reproduction and adoption come at extremely high costs, emotionally, morally and financially. The decision in choosing one or none depend heavily on the situation and desperation of the people who are trying to create a family. The considerations are great and the outcome is dependant on many outside individuals.

The question still remains which end justifies the means for the perfect family.