Leftover Embryos - To Be Or Not To Be - What Are The Ethics?

Child welfare legislation in New Zealand has always had the 'the best interests of the child' as a founding principle says Tariana Turia Associate Minister of Health and Social Services.

Recently there has been some discussion about the use of 'leftover embryos', which I have been concerned about. It seems to be an area where technology is out pacing ethics, such imbalance is not healthy.

"The application to have 'frozen embryos donated to childless couples' appears to me to negate 'the best interests of the child' principle.

"The action to seek ethical approval for the embryos to be donated appears more in the interests of adults than of children. That five couples are known 'to want to consider donating embryos' does not justify it occurring.

"I believe we need to give more serious thought to the social consequences of new reproductive technologies and the psychological implications for all family group members affected by it.

"What for example are the consequences of children not knowing their biological parents? For Maori, what are the implications of a major intervention in to and effectively a termination of whakapapa? What are the implications of trans ethnic implants? Would these be any different to same ethnic implants?

"Should we take this opportunity for dialogue to discuss, in depth, the implications of continuing the legal deception of people giving birth, as a result of implanted embryos, to children as if they were their own," Tariana Turia said.

Ends

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Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>