Like It Is

It was bad enough to read of the parents having the sextuplets Watching the medical profession and most of the press “oh” and “ah” over the latest “miracle” of the multiple births (most likely by IVF and super-ovulation) was pretty sickening. What about hearing that the sextuplets were struggling for their lives, and would probably have health problems all their lives?

Babies don’t do a lot for me. But every time I thought of those babies I felt sad for them. And angry. Angry at so-called parents who appear to be quite willing and able to take a risk on these babies lives because, wait for it – they wanted a child. Nothing else mattered and IVF was the way to go,even if they were going to produce six babies. Six! And, should you be thinking well, they couldn’t foresee this, it was suggested early in the pregnancy the foetuses could be selectively aborted. But they believed in the sanctity of life, they said. So the mother refused. Seems odd that now they are willing to risk those same lives, particularly as two have already died.

Today, the news of Canada’s famous multiple births made me even more angry, again at the parents. The British Columbia government took three of the children from their parents to give them blood transfusions – before the Jehovah Witnesses could challenge the move in court. Which they were going to do.

Two of the babies had died before B.C.’s director of child, family and community service stepped in last Friday. And the parents, whose religion forbids blood transfusions, even to save a life had raised objections to their remaining sick children having one. They firmly ruled out blood transfusions for the struggling babies, indicating they wanted to seek medical alternatives.

How can people like this even be allowed to be parents? It’s clear that what is important isn’t the children. What is more important is their religion. It’s glaringly obvious to me that far from being safe with their parents the remaining babies chances of survival are even lower – since they can’t be guaranteed that their parents are going to do everything to ensure their survival if it contradicts their religion.
The Supreme Court ruled in 1995 that a child’s right to necessary medical care supersedes a parent’s right to religious expression.

“We don’t take any such action without a great deal of forethought, recognising that it’s a significant step for the state to interfere in a family,” Christensen said. “But we want to ensure in every case that children are receiving the attention they require.”

A child’s welfare trumps a family’s religious beliefs, Children and Families Minister Tom Christensen indicated.

“Our obligation to protect children is paramount,” he said. Apprehending a child is a last resort, he added.

The beliefs of the Jehovah’s Witnesses are not news to me by any means. But not only do this couple feel they had the “right” to have children – via IVF since natural means failed, they also feel they have the right to deny their premature babies their very survival. That’s seriously fucked up. They should be asked to sign something saying that, yes, they will ensure that any offspring they have simply won’t be allowed to die because of their parents religion.

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe the Bible forbids blood transfusions and that undergoing one is a sin.

Some people ought to have a licence before they are allowed to create children. Unlikely. The fertility industry has too much to lose and even now many women are shelling out thousands on IVF in search of motherhood and that elusive child.

Original article: The Toronto Star

B.C. Seized three of the ailing sextuplets

My previous article: Woman gives birth to sextuplets in British Columbia