by Melanie Wood

Created on: March 02, 2009

Most of Europe has had zero or less population growth, for a very long time. European nations provide cradle to grave services for all citizens, and programs for students to learn a vocation via trade schools or university.

In the United States we tolerate our rapidly expanding population, provide few services for citizens, and provide even less educational assistance. For decades, the US has listed after all of Europe and the western world regarding health, education, and welfare. Our country in 2009 still is ranked by the World Health Organization as #37 in health care, listing between Costa Rica and Slovenia. www.photius.com/rankings

These facts might well speak for themselves: Americans need to stop the breeding and start taking better care of everyone who is already here!

Perhaps it is not quite that simple.

I believe that an individual or a family evidencing that they are and intend to remain financially and emotionally responsible for the rearing of another baby has every right to another bundle of joy, be it naturally or medically created. The embryo's natal needs for love, food, shelter and guidance are as they have always been, and I feel certain that parents are eager to provide for their offspring, planned or unplanned, as has always been done.

In the US, statistics show that the infertile couple bears costs for 85% of the treatment. It makes sense that fewer than 50% of infertile families will choose the process; and those typically are middle to high income, mature, married Caucasian couples. www.nature.com/fertility

American history has shown couples can and often do successfully rear many children, and some go on to foster more children. The ability to provide necessities, health and guidance is crucial in any scenario involving building a family. In less fortunate parts of the world, families welcome another baby as it will soon become a worker to help provide for the unit.

Recently and famously, a single, unemployable woman birthed 8 infants as a result of a scientific fertilization. Had this occurred in Europe nation, she may have had access to financial assistance for the procedure, for housing, and the education of the children as there are government provisions in effect. It remains to be seen how this event will be resolved. This has little to do with the devoted American parent who sincerely wants and is able to provide for another child, medically or scientifically.

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