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The topic I have chosen for my research paper involves the ethical dilemma surrounding in vitro fertilization. For many women, motherhood is a dream established even as a child. Such a dream is crushed for those women who discover that they are infertile. Adoption has become popular for many women, and even for gay couples. But in vitro fertilization, also known as I.V.F., has opened new opportunities for those having trouble conceiving. Fertility doctors are able to take embryos from the potential mother and fertilize the eggs outside of the uterus. The embryos are then implanted into the uterus for the normal gestation period. Unlike adoption, I.V.F. babies are a direct "product" of their parents.

Prior to a few weeks ago, I barely questioned the ethics behind I.V.F. I saw it as a great way for couples who were dying to be parents to make their dreams come true, and in most cases, still feel this way. The birth of Nadya Sulemen's octuplets and all of the media attention it has drawn, however, has me seeing both sides of the issue. Prior to giving birth to the octuplets, Nadya was already caring for six children. She is also unemployed and lives at her parent's home. With in vitro, there is always a higher chance of multiple births, but Nadya Suleman's case may not have been a "by chance" situation. Suleman said that she was implanted with six embryos, whereas three or four embryos is the norm; fertility doctors usually do this in an effort to reduce the risk of multiple births.

The topic caught my interest at home as I watched the news, but I only began considering it as a potential research paper topic after a class discussion in Legal Studies class. We discussed whether or not it was ethical for Ms. Suleman to have recieved fertility treatment considering she already had six children and the costs that would inevitably come with having fourteen. My gut reaction was that she is entitled to however many children she wants to have, but as I heard other classmates voice their opinions, I began to sway. The question is: Was it ethical for Ms. Suleman to recieve fertility treatment despite her lack of income, life partner, and own home? Should in vitro candidates have the right to conceive just as those who can conceive naturally, or should their be standards that potential candidates must measure up to? For example, Couples who wish to adopt children have to fit many standards. Should in vitro candidates have to pass similar standards? Obviously, this question is way too wordy. I'm having trouble narrowing in on one subject, but have a great interest in the topic and look forward to becoming an expert on the topic.