Comments for The Spin Doctor

Comment on New Blog Features by Dr Malpani

Dr Malpani — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:49:00 +0000

Hi,

We really missing you, kindly update shortly. hope for the best Dr Malpani

Comment on Made-to-Order Embryos: You Want to Sell What?! by umvtogether

umvtogether — Mon, 20 May 2013 18:30:00 +0000

While the notion of selling such embryos “for-profit” is totally disgusting and not to mention violating ethics and morals at multiple levels. It is hard to believe that human trafficking laws would not cover this practice? But as the author pointed out, the embryos would have to be declared “humans” first. Its a weird “catch-22″. The intended parent(s) or the “customers” consider the embryos as humans and thats why are willing to pay for them but some sections of the law do not? Shouldn’t the intent count?

As far as the parentage discussion goes, I am not in complete agreement with the author. Recently, court in Kansas declared a sperm donor as the “parent” of an IVF child and ordered him to pay child support. Clearly, the “sperm donor” had no intent to “parent” this child. In another case in UAE, the court ordered another father to pay child support for an IVF child fathered using his sperm by his ex-wife AFTER The divorce. As per the divorce agreement, the “frozen sperm” should have been destroyed but instead the laws were broken and an IVF child was created by the ex-wife. And now the “father” was asked to pay child support.

The point is when there are NO laws, that does not mean anything goes. It is left to interpretation to each jurisdiction and this is human life (the IVF child) which means prevailing laws as defined by “DNA test” prevail. What is alarming is the “wild west” approach. We need LAWS to protect the best interest of the IVF child first. Whether you are pro-choice or pro-life, having LAWS instead of “wild west” approach is in the best interest of all.

Comment on More Surrogacy Horror Stories Out Of India by WeeCareSurrogacy USA

WeeCareSurrogacy USA — Mon, 20 May 2013 11:40:00 +0000

I feel that in every 100th birth their would be few issues like this but with lot of care, I hope we can eradicate these type of problems.

Comment on Why Marry? Three Generations Tell Their Wedding Stories by WeeCareSurrogacy USA

WeeCareSurrogacy USA — Mon, 20 May 2013 10:14:00 +0000

Very Interesting !!!!!!

Comment on My Thoughts On Tonya Collins’ Sentencing by beth mardones

beth mardones — Sat, 18 May 2013 02:27:00 +0000

Kathy, I find your comment completely out of line and an inappropriate response to Andy’s heartfelt post.
First of all our son was NOT purchased and neither are any children brought into this world by the loving care of a surrogate Mother. Second, our surrogate, dear friend and Godmother to our son is NOT poor, infact, she is richer in more asspects of her life than anyone I know.
I have had the pleasure of meeting many surrogates through the years and they were all financially stable, smart, loving and caring women that want nothing more than to help women like myself, that can not carry a baby, be able to have a child of their own.
Its a shame that people like you chose to attack the industry and the professionals that played such an important role in bringing our son in this world. Our doctor, nurses, attorney and social worker are all in this field of work to help others that need their help. I will be forever thankful to them.
I dont feel at all that this is an industry “driven by money” as Kathy said. Rather, it is an industry driven by mostly caring people playing their important role to help couples like me and my husband have a family. Unfortunately, there are bad people like Tonya Collins that will take advantage of vulnerable people.

Comment on My Thoughts On Tonya Collins’ Sentencing by Andy

Andy — Thu, 16 May 2013 23:16:00 +0000

I have also heard that she will not be surrendering herself into custody
for six weeks so as to possibly give her sufficient time for her to undergo gastric
bypass surgery. It is also possible that she would have had at least six weeks to surrender, irrespective of the surgery. I would hope the United States Attorney General’s
office has looked into the source of funds to ensure that she is not
using ill-gotten monies to pay for this procedure.

Comment on My Thoughts On Tonya Collins’ Sentencing by OutragedInNY

OutragedInNY — Thu, 16 May 2013 21:41:00 +0000

Is it true that Collins is getting gastric bypass surgery before she goes to jail and who is paying for that?

Comment on My Thoughts On Tonya Collins’ Sentencing by katiefroman

katiefroman — Thu, 16 May 2013 20:10:37 +0000

I just wanted to say thank you, from one surrogate to another,for what you selflessly do.

Comment on My Thoughts On Tonya Collins’ Sentencing by katiefroman

katiefroman — Thu, 16 May 2013 20:09:39 +0000

Thank you. Well said.

Comment on My Thoughts On Tonya Collins’ Sentencing by Andrew Vorzimer

Andrew Vorzimer — Thu, 16 May 2013 18:23:18 +0000

Hardly “enough said”, Kathy. Kind of odd that you would post such an inflammatory comment and then attempt to stifle any response — particularly given that your criticism was nothing more than a laundry list of oft-regurgitated questions that have been repeatedly debunked. So I have to assume you were merely being rhetorical and had no interest in educating yourself.

But I have some questions for you: Do you believe women are incapable of making decisions about their own bodies? Do you believe women lack the capacity to educate themselves about the risks involved in pregnancy and make an informed decision to proceed? Do you believe a wealthier woman is more intelligent and capable of making decisions than one who is not? Would your concerns be addressed if only wealthy women serve as surrogates? Should only wealthy women be allowed to be mothers and should we have financial means tests before allowing any woman to undergo fertility treatment?

Quite frankly, your argument is offensive and demeaning. Imagine all the stay-at-home moms who have given up their careers to raise their children and earn no income. You have disrespected them by linking income to intelligence.

Further, you clearly have not read this Blog before as we routinely report upon every transgression in this industry in the hopes it will educate those considering ART and serve as a deterrent against future improper behavior. We have not only called for regulation of this industry for more than a decade, but have aggressively sought to have legislation passed to protect Intended Parents, Surrogates and Egg Donors alike. In fact, after working for more than two years on legislation with the California Assembly, we were successful in having California pass the most progressive laws in the world on surrogacy. Uncanny how facts get in the way of a baseless diatribe, eh?

Also, to disabuse any reader who might believe some of your tripe, low-income earners are disqualified from being surrogates. Further, having handled more than 9,000 ART arrangements in my career, I can assure you that none of my clients have ever worked with a surrogate who was incapable of supporting herself and her family without the extra compensation that surrogacy affords. Every single surrogate I have ever worked with in 20 years has been considered, at a minimum, middle-class. In fact, just last week I drafted an agreement for a surrogate who earns $150,000 a year. You and Mr. Cassidy are still living in the 1980s. Since you are so fond of archaic quotes, Mr. Cassidy’s remark is reminiscent of something Thomas Watson, former Chairman of the Board of IBM once said, “I think there is a world market for maybe five computers.”