by Ronald Gibson

Created on: November 02, 2008   Last Updated: February 06, 2011

I saw this debate title and thought "Why"?. I have to wonder if it's talking about a government requirement for genetic testing, or just a recommendation that a couple ought to have themselves tested before shelling out the dough for in vitro. Either way if they have the money, and want to have a baby by any form of artificial insemination they should have the right to do so, without that being their only option. It might still be a good idea to check it out if they are having trouble having a baby but that doesn't have to influence their decision. Some people call abortion family planning because it's a bad time to have a baby. I don't agree with that but that's a whole different debate.

Feel free to read the articles I have already written on that subject for my opinion regarding that. In this case however using in vitro fertilization to control when you have a baby may seem a little tacky to those of us that don't have that option but there's nothing wrong with people doing that. The only reason to say that there is anything wrong with not genetically testing for infertility before doing so, is if you are worried about creating a child that may have similar problems. However it seems a little harsh to me, for someone to be condemned to a life without children simply because of a genetic anomaly. That is the main concern I have about people testing babies for genetic disorders before they are born. It goes back to the abortion issue so I suppose the two subjects are a bit connected.

I have a condition known as Asperger's Syndrome. More commonly recognized as High Functioning Autism. I am deeply concerned about passing that on to a potential child which I might be having in the near future. Many people would say that it wouldn't be right for me to take that risk and that it isn't fair to the child. My response is that not giving the child a chance at life would be more unfair than letting him be born with my condition. It is a very narrow minded point of view to say that we should not give such people a chance to live in our society. The same principle applies to couples with genetic infertility. Not only that but as soon as they have scientific proof of which of them is creating the problem; with them not having a baby, it could seriously rock their marriage by impacting any past or future arguments they may have had on the subject.

So regardless of what the question means I would have to say that my answer would in fact be no. I see no reason why a couple should be tested for genetic infertility before in vitro fertilization.

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