IVF and Multiple Fetal Reduction

Physicians and fertility experts describe multiple fetal reduction as a medical procedure performed on women carrying multiple live fetuses after in vitro fertilization (IVF). They will insist that it is a medical necessity to perform this procedure (selective termination) for women who must chose between a live birth and several stillborn infants.

In medical terms, the procedure sounds relatively painless and devoid of human emotion. Selective termination is a "procedure" done to maximize the chance of survival for the remaining embryos after the successful implantation of multiple embryos conceived in vitro.

Infertile couples spend thousands of dollars to create a child in a medical research lab-and then carelessly take the life the very same children they were so eager to produce. Although parenthood should always be a deliberate action, this medical procedure seems to devalue life.

At face value, this is a medically sound procedure and sounds like a relatively benign precautionary measure taken to optimize conditions for the strongest fetus-the one who was lucky enough to attach itself in an inconvenient location for the doctors to reach and abort. By defining this procedure in technical terms, we are insulated from the true nature of the act. In reality, multiple fetal reduction is the tragic outcome for women who are so desperate to bear their own biological children that they can justify spending thousands upon thousands of dollars to pass on their genes in utero. Yet these same women can justify taking several human lives as a mere consequence?

I find this morally reprehensible. There are too many children in need of a good home-and though not white, "genetically superior," or born in some third world country, these children are not placed in the homes of middle class Americans desperate to raise a child. Foster children, abandoned, neglected, special needs children do not reap the benefits of the rigorous parental screening process-nor do they wind up in on the waiting list with healthy infants. Instead, parents throw money at doctors to help them create the perfect child. Couples bypass the screening process by shelling out a few bucks to pass their genetic code and heritage along with a silver spoon.

In my opinion, these doctors, and the couples who go to them in desperation need to reevaluate their priorities. Although their efforts to procreate are valiant-their actions are not. It seems that this is an act of vanity and selfish irresponsibility-nothing to be admired in young parents to be and to pass on in generations to come.

Perhaps I don't yet understand the strength of the maternal instinct-perhaps that instinct is strong enough to shield one's conscience from the reality of multiple fetal reduction and selective termination. What else could motivate a young couple and their physician to create a life with full intention of terminating another?