Should fathers have the right to destroy embryos?

[InnerBrat]

Embryo fight couples in court

Basically - two women wnat to be implanted with frozen fertilised embryos against the wishes of the biological fathers (their ex partners).

One of the women has had her ovaries removed due to cancer, and underwent IVF with her partner at the time in the hope of implantation when she recovered. Howver they have now split up, and this is her only chance to have a baby.

The other is a more straight forward case - she has one child, but wants another, and her ex doesn't want her to use stored embryos.

Thoughts?

[Howedar]

One of the women has had her ovaries removed due to cancer, and underwent IVF with her partner at the time in the hope of implantation when she recovered. Howver they have now split up, and this is her only chance to have a baby.

The man gave approval by allowing fertilization of the egg. As long as he doesn't have to pay anything, I don't see the problem.

The other is a more straight forward case - she has one child, but wants another, and her ex doesn't want her to use stored embryos.

Same thing.

[Tsyroc]

Embryo fight couples in court

Basically - two women wnat to be implanted with frozen fertilised embryos against the wishes of the biological fathers (their ex partners).

One of the women has had her ovaries removed due to cancer, and underwent IVF with her partner at the time in the hope of implantation when she recovered. Howver they have now split up, and this is her only chance to have a baby.

The other is a more straight forward case - she has one child, but wants another, and her ex doesn't want her to use stored embryos.

Thoughts?

I'd say that the first woman should be allowed to carry through with the procedure but should free the "father" of all future responsibility if legally possible. After she has one child I'm leaning towards the other embryos being destroyed but if the father is legally free and clear I"m not sure this would be necessary then.

In the case of the second woman. I think she should be s.o.l.

[Sea Skimmer]

Yes the men should have the right to prevent there usage.

[Edi]

In the first case the woman should be allowed to use the embryos, but the man should not be forced to pay child support, seeing as how he would not and could not become father to her children otherwise and does not want to.

The second case, the father's decision should be respected. The woman is perfectly capable of getting children with someone else, and as it takes two to tango in the first place and the man does not want to, tough luck for her. It's not right for her to get to demand child support from a man whose child she would never get to carry the normal way (the laws tend to be written the way that intent matters squat, the only deciding factor is whether your DNA went to the embryo).

Edi

[Alex Moon]

In the first case the woman should be allowed to have the child, but the father should be legally absolved of all responsibility for that child.

In the second case the woman should not be allowed to use the embryoes.

[Tsyroc]

The more I think about the second woman why isn't she out looking for a sperm donor? Is she just after the embryos because getting one of those would saver her a little money?

[Alex Moon]

The more I think about the second woman why isn't she out looking for a sperm donor? Is she just after the embryos because getting one of those would saver her a little money?

Probably a couple of factors at work

a) Revenge. If the divorce was nasty (and considering that they already have one child, it probably was) then by having another she could be trying to hurt her ex.

b) She wants a second child for a variety of reasons such as loneliness, etc. She possibly want both her children to have the same father, either for medical/legal reasons, or simply because it'll make her feel better.

[Tosho]

1st case: she can use the embryo but the father should be free from financal responsibilities.

2nd: find another man

[InnerBrat]

BTW, I'm not sure child support is an issue here - although if it is, I agree that the fathers shouldn't have to pay any of it.

[Edi]

BTW, I'm not sure child support is an issue here - although if it is, I agree that the fathers shouldn't have to pay any of it.

The way those laws are typically written, if it was your sperm that fertilized the egg, you're liable for child support. The way our laws at least are currently written, there is no way I would ever donate sperm to a sperm bank because of precisely that reason.

Edi

[GrandMasterTerwynn]

Embryo fight couples in court

Basically - two women wnat to be implanted with frozen fertilised embryos against the wishes of the biological fathers (their ex partners).

One of the women has had her ovaries removed due to cancer, and underwent IVF with her partner at the time in the hope of implantation when she recovered. Howver they have now split up, and this is her only chance to have a baby.

The other is a more straight forward case - she has one child, but wants another, and her ex doesn't want her to use stored embryos.

Thoughts?

If one draws up a sufficiently binding legal contract absolving the biological father of any future financial responsibility for any children produced by the method, then by all means, keep the embryos.

Otherwise, the father has every right to insist that the embryos be destroyed. The potential legal and financial ramifications for the father could be too great otherwise.