Fertility clinic mistake was almost disastrous

I read with extremely mixed feelings about the birth of a little boy who didn't belong to the woman who carried him for nine months.

Apparently there was a little mix-up at the fertility clinic where an embryo belonging to one Ohio couple was implanted into the uterus of an altogether unrelated woman.

Without knowing anything about this situation, as I began reading the story (www.tinyurl.com/yd78okn) I feared the worst possible scenarios would likely play out. But as I read on, I was heartened by the grace and dignity afforded by the birth mother toward the couple whose last chance for a sibling for their twin daughters could have been obliterated.

Carolyn Savage, the woman who gave birth to the baby, was quoted as saying, "This was someone else's child — we didn't know who it was. We didn't know if they didn't have children or if this was their last chance for a child." And true to her word given at the time she found out about the mistake (10 days after implantation), she plans to hand over the baby without hesitation. This is a very remarkable woman indeed.

But the possibility that this "mistake" could have resulted in a catastrophe of monumental proportions should not be dismissed. Mrs. Savage could very well have opted to keep the child as her own, or worse, she could have chosen to abort the baby. The ramifications of either of these two choices would likely have resulted in the virtual destruction of two families. And no doubt already wealthy attorneys would have gotten a whole lot richer as the certainty of litigation would have been in the offing. Thankfully, there was Mrs. Savage's sense of love and decency to thwart that pain and agony.

Still, this situation should force all of us to again consider what it is we, as a society, are attempting to do that should be left entirely up to God. How often do these "mistakes" end with the death of an innocent human life? We're so proud of ourselves for our ability to perform such "miracles," that we forget that there is nothing miraculous about destroying lives in the process. Just something to ponder.

Jerome R. Kinderman
Lodi

Reader Feedback

Lodian wrote on Oct 26, 2009 9:33 AM:

" veritas wrote "Try to come up to speed and see the world through love, decency, honesty and light instead of your predictable narrow snide attitude."

Typical and "predictable narrow snide attitude" from Jerome. "

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voter wrote on Oct 25, 2009 10:01 PM:

" veritas wrote on Oct 25, 2009 9:18 PM:
" Try to come up to speed and see the world through love, decency, honesty and light."

JK, this is what some of us have been suggesting to you for many, many months. I'd like to think you've turned a corner, but supporting a position that would deny biological parenthood based on rare complications (which in this case had a happy ending anyway) is not compassionate or honest.

More love and support, less judgement and condemnation, and abandoning the insistence on controlling the personal lives of people who are different (i.e. other religions, no religion, homosexual, etc.) would indeed make the world a better place for all of us. "

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voter wrote on Oct 25, 2009 9:43 PM:

" Narrow view? I'd say you were supporting the narrowest position--that infertile couples should not seek common medical procedures to assist with conception. Success rates are high, and unfortunate incidents such as the one you describe are rare. Talk to a couple desperate to conceive a child and see who they think has the narrow view. "

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veritas wrote on Oct 25, 2009 9:18 PM:

" To: Voter: Not at all. Of course you and I both pray for the best for all children and their families best outcomes. Try to come up to speed and see the world through love, decency, honesty and light instead of your predictable narrow snide attitude. "

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voter wrote on Oct 25, 2009 9:36 AM:

" veritas wrote on Oct 24, 2009 3:28 PM:

"Point 2, more subtle ? "It doesn't pay to mess with 'mother nature' ".

You're serious about this? Don't mess with mother nature? I guess that rules out treating just about every medical condition. "

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veritas wrote on Oct 24, 2009 3:28 PM:

" Point ? This seemed pretty obvious "Thankfully, there was Mrs. Savage's sense of love and decency to thwart that pain and agony." Point 2, more subtle ? "It doesn't pay to mess with 'mother nature' ". "

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liz wrote on Oct 24, 2009 9:19 AM:

" I'm not quite sure of the point of this letter. Is it showcase the decision of compassion of the Savages? or to make a sly comment about those that are faced with infertility and chose to undergo treatments? "

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sam wrote on Oct 24, 2009 8:41 AM:

" G, I saw this couple on tv and was impressed with their love and compassion for the baby she carried and other couple. A bittersweet ending for the pregnant couple, but a wonderful ending for the baby and her new family. "

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voter wrote on Oct 24, 2009 7:42 AM:

" Jerome, it sounds like you believe that God makes women "barren" on purpose. "

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