Whittakers Designer Baby

[Paula71]

Not so much in the news as current affairs but...

Just watched this programme in tears. It has changed my mind about certain aspects of the whole designer baby subject as I don't think you could call their baby designer. The whole word designer indicates prestige and a certain snobbery, they just wanted a healthy baby that could help their little boy. I defy anyone who watched this programme not to side with them and I know it would break my heart if either of my ds twins had to go through that. I know I am so so very lucky to have fine healthy boys.

Does anyone know how the family are doing?

[M2T]

In the Newspaper this morning, dunno which one, it was on the seat in the tube train. It said that she miscarried late last month in the early stages of pregnancy! Is this the family with the gorgeous little boy who's 4??

She is quoted to have said "We tried our best, but it wasn't meant to be".

[Evansmum]

It's a tragic situation but in defence of the HFEA (the relevant authority) I think their point was testing for genetic abnormalities that could affect the embryo in question is OK so you can avoid a pregnancy where it is clear that the potential baby would be severely affected. But testing an embryo for someone else's benefit ? ie for a sibling, in this case ? is not permitted under the Act and is therefore unlawful. Other countries have different laws. You have to think about the impact on the child who is the 'donor'; will they feel that they were a wanted child for their own sake? What if the treatment fails anyway so he/she doesn't actually 'save' their brother?

[dsw]

That is so sad.

[dsw]

It wasn't the Whittakers that miscarried - it was the Hashmi's - however still heartbreaking news.

[Paula71]

Secur I totally agree with what you said in that some of the things they told the little boy were, perhaps, unwise. After all at the end of the programme it said that when the baby boy was born the lad was asking why he still had to get those injections and when would he be "saved." That little lad is such a hero and it would kill me to have to watch my boys go through anything like that. Like I said, I am so thankfully they are healthy!

And I also agree that the mum should have thought of what her poor boy goes through with those horrendous injections and treatment, and bit her lip when she was going through her injections etc. Having said that I have never had anything like that happen nor needed IVF so have no idea what it is like to go through.

The media should give the full story in these cases rather than just flashy misleading headlines.

[carriemac]

I know you can just "go elsewhere" for ivf for what the HEFA does not allow here, but that is not the point, they uphold the law here. In the US for example they replace up tp 7 embryos, wher the HEFA law here is 3 max. And the US has consequently many higher multiple births, with all the health problems that brings.

[twiglett]

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[samACon]

I wonder if some of what Charlie was saying about the new baby saving him, was prompted by the presence of the documentary crew? I'm not trying to be cynical, ie they wanted some good TV soundbites, but it must be difficult to keep it from him when you are surrounded by people filming it!