reference: http://news.discovery.com/human/sperm-donor-overdependence-incest-accidental-111009.html Discovery http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/209570/20110906/sperm-donor-sperm-bank-150-children-fertility-clinc.htm The International Business Times
The two articles from “Discovery” and “The International Business Times” are both focus on the problems of sperm banks. Some couples might have the difficulties of breeding, but they don’t prefer to adopt a child to solve this problem. Under this circumstance, the emergence of the sperm banks seems to be the light for these worried couples. There are successful cases that the wives finally pregnant and have their own child. But is that safe enough? Are there any serious defects hiding in the shadows that people just not discover and see?
Actually there are indeed some terrible and even dangerous flaws of sperm banks. “The New York Times ran a story this week about a 48-year old woman who discovered that her son - conceived through artificial insemination - had 149 siblings, with more on the way.” It is only one of the cases happened in the world that being mentioned for audience to know this “truth”. With 149 siblings exist in the world (or even more siblings that you can’t imagine), it becomes dangerous for these children if they fall in love with their siblings and breed their child after they grow up. “People who seek sperm donation are from the same socio-economical status. They know each other, they are advised to see the same doctor, and they live in the same neighborhood. It's not randomly distributed.” It is not impossible for the siblings to meet or even get marry in the future. The worst of all, the sperm donor might have the chance to have sex with his daughter. Actually, it is very probable.
The “dangerous meetings” might cause serious problems: incest. The inbreeding might spread the gene diseases, including rare diseases. “Specialists warn over-reliance of one donor increases the risk of the transmission of genetic diseases and malformations, and some say there are dangers of inadvertent incest between half-siblings.” It seems men always ignore the potential and possible dangers while challenging nature. Men might have the ability to change lives, but it still doesn’t mean that it is right for men to do so.
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回覆刪除The sperm banks do provide a chance for sterility couples who desire to have their babies. However, as you mention, if artificial insemination doesn't be controlled well, it may cause very big problems.
回覆刪除I'm wondering that are there rare or a lot of special cases such as the cases that you have mentioned.
This annotation really makes me think of my annotation. Because that I support for unmarried women being pregnant via artificial insemination in my annotation. However, if the law let them do so, it may raise higher rate to come into the problems in your annotation.
It is true that men can donate thousands of sperm. I do not agree that by donating sperm men have the ability to challenge nature. Without a woman, men cannot produce a child. The sperm bank simply gives the woman what she needs to create a child. The nature still takes its course. Men plus women equals life. However, to avoid ethical conflicts and genetic diseases, the sperm bank still needs to keep track of its clients.
回覆刪除Tracing back to its root, this issue and mine share a lot in common since they all revolve around the alternation of nature by man which might or will causes detrimental effects on ethics and the environment, respectively.
回覆刪除There is another example which is closely related to sperm bank, and it’s also about the manipulation of nature. I have written a report on umbilical blood (UB) and from the development of UB banks and a technique termed induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC), it’s been demonstrated yet again that the manipulation of nature almost always result in undesired results. You may use this example if needed while you write the final research paper. In addition, I think looking for some contrasting examples, i.e. those that result in desired results, and try to compare them will help you gain a more thorough understanding about your issue.