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Position:Home>Philosophy> Is it ok for a couple to have another child to save their current sick child? (lQuestion: Is it ok for a couple to have another child to save their current sick child!? (like a saviour sibling)!? for example (if you don't get what i mean): a couple has a child but she has cancer,and stem cells is the only thing that could save their daughter, the couple decided to have another child so they could get the stem cells in the umbilical cord, what is your opinion on this issue!?Www@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Sadly, it happens all the time!. For the person questioning the validity of this, it DOES happen!. A sibling is the best chance at an HLA (human leukocyte antigen) tissue type match, which is what cord blood, bone marrow, and peripheral blood stem cells for hemotopoetic (blood) stem cell transplant (bone marrow transplant) is matched by!. A sibling has a 1in 4 chance of matching!. And then, cord blood does not have to be matched as closly as actual marrow or peripheral blood stem cells, so that brings the odds up to about 1 in 2 that the cord blood of the siblings will be an HLA tissue type match!. And then, with genetic manipulation through IVF, the chances go up to 80% that the siblings will not just be an HLA tissue type match, but an exact full genetic match!. (thats a lil technical!.!.!. if you didnt follow, the National Marrow Donors Program has some info http://www!.marrow!.org or google the phrase "HLA tissue type matching") IMO!.!.!.!. NO, I dont think its right at all!. It deplores me that minors already have no say in their medical treatment, but to be born for no other reason than to save someone else!? It almost always goes beyond just using the cord blood!. These kids go their entire childhood donating blood, marrow, organs to their sick sibling!. I cant imagine what it feels like to know that the only reason you were conceived is because your parents didnt really want another child, but didnt want the child they already had to die!. If that was my only option, I would accept that my child was meant to be sick and there must be some reason that I cant see for it!. I do NOT believe in having another child for that purpose!. "My Sister's Keeper" is a great fictional novel about this situation, and if you google around for savior siblings, you will find true stories!.Www@QuestionHome@Com This is a hard one and I honestly havn't completley made up my mind!. Let me say this though!. My youngest has cystic fibrosis and although the research is still happenning, i know of people who have already gone and done this to increase the chances of helping their one with CF!. As a mum, the thought of anything that could help your child is so tempting and my husband and i have talked about it!. But as of this moment, although i understand why others have seen this as a wonderful option and jumped at the chance, i have felt that the thought of having a baby simply for 'spare parts' so to speak, is something i dont want to do at this time!. also, my husband and i had decided before Charlie was born that we didn't want anymore children and so feel it isn't ethically and morally right for us!. Despite how it may help our gorgeous wee man!. It's a bit like the controversial abortion issue!. I don't agree with or want to do it myself, but i understand that everyone has to make their own choice and for some it is the right choice!. Every situation is different!.Www@QuestionHome@Com I cannot think of any disease that could be beaten this way!. Stem cells are not cure-alls, they can merely become other types of cells!. The new child would also have different DNA, making any attempt to transfer cell matter prone to rejection!. If this case ever came up, it would be an ethical question that only the couple could answer!. No-one else could do it for them!.Www@QuestionHome@Com why not, it provides 2 benefits to the first child, 1) life 2) a younger baby sibling!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.to love and play provided that the 2nd child doesn't suffer or die!. otherwise, even the 2nd child will get the same kind of love from the parents the parents must keep medical laws in mind and the health of the mother as well as the two childrenWww@QuestionHome@Com If it will not hurt the saviour sibling, yes!. But if it takes to hurt the new one in any way to save the sick one----hell, no!. You example is no t correct though!. sibling's stem cells are not necessarily correct for the sick one!.Www@QuestionHome@Com Absolutely yes, life is precious and you must do everything possible to preserve it!. Waiting nine months for that that miracle would be so very stressful!.Www@QuestionHome@Com It is a very serious question and in my opinion only the couple should decide about it in consultation with a doctor!.I am serious!.Www@QuestionHome@Com God works his miracles in mysterious ways!. I think its a wonderful 'conception'!. (no pun intended)!.Www@QuestionHome@Com |