tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7439109790681220541.post7517701135634378389..comments2024-02-25T21:04:09.828-08:00Comments on Sunshine and Snowflakes: The Life of the EmbryoJenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13491687007971233290noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7439109790681220541.post-30125236716652960112008-07-22T10:42:19.104-07:002008-07-22T10:42:19.104-07:00Thank you for taking the time to respond.I guess m...Thank you for taking the time to respond.<br><br>I guess my question further is this, so if they are people, and may or may not have a soul, how do you feel about implanting several when you know they probably will not all survive? Especially when you've listed cases previously where someone had 11 embryos and that resulted in one live birth.<br><br>It seems effectively to be making the same decisions as in vitro fertilization without the immediate problem of you, personally, having given the order to create life.<br><br>Again, genuinely curious, as I've been struggling with the morality of this topic.Amanda Maenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7439109790681220541.post-75832455303807162532008-07-22T10:44:54.014-07:002008-07-22T10:44:54.014-07:00Also, isn't Embryo Adoption a perfect way of j...Also, isn't Embryo Adoption a perfect way of justifying IVF for people who have yet to undertake it? They may feel it is wrong, but upon learning of embryo adoption, would do it anyway because there is a way to "adopt" out the other embryos, thereby putting more embryos out there?Amanda Maenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7439109790681220541.post-87300893374353740732008-07-22T10:56:09.861-07:002008-07-22T10:56:09.861-07:00I actually think it an awesome thing you are doing...I actually think it an awesome thing you are doing! I love that nightlight has a mission to place all these frozen embryos into loving families- that would otherwise be permanently frozen or destroyed.<br>Thanks for answering these questions- I completely agree with you!<br>I am excited to see what the futrue holds for your family!Lenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11768369339098277694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7439109790681220541.post-36903001221470049712008-07-22T11:15:25.249-07:002008-07-22T11:15:25.249-07:00Love for a child grows however and wherever create...Love for a child grows however and wherever created. I applaud your choices and send much happiness to you all on your journey. Not all embryos result in live births whether the result of ART or natural conception. It's a non issue for me as a clinician. To be given the opportunity for life and to nuture a life, what a Gift.Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07129428477996644401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7439109790681220541.post-36516080831813119152008-07-22T11:35:05.229-07:002008-07-22T11:35:05.229-07:00Hey Amanda--I responded to your two questions here...Hey Amanda--I responded to your two questions here at the end of the post =)Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13491687007971233290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7439109790681220541.post-27372821451416008972008-07-22T11:44:40.172-07:002008-07-22T11:44:40.172-07:00looks like you've given these issues a lot of ...looks like you've given these issues a lot of thought. I applaud you for that.gracechildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02618314696610199254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7439109790681220541.post-45925955871196047482008-07-22T11:52:08.621-07:002008-07-22T11:52:08.621-07:00Thanks for responding, I see what you mean about i...Thanks for responding, I see what you mean about implanting two at a time, that seems like the most responsible thing to do. It's an interesting topic to think on, and I still don't know what I think.Amanda Maenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7439109790681220541.post-67252898638626904112008-07-22T12:09:19.079-07:002008-07-22T12:09:19.079-07:00Again, another great post, Jen. It's hearteni...Again, another great post, Jen. It's heartening to find others who have wrestled with the same questions and have arrived at the same answers. Many prayers!Semi-Patiently Waitinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07239633141446658731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7439109790681220541.post-22618139176464474132008-07-22T13:27:14.615-07:002008-07-22T13:27:14.615-07:00Good post Jen. When I was describing the concept ...Good post Jen. When I was describing the concept of embryo adoption to my mom, I could have used some of your additional insights (since you're the one I was talking about). I'm going to send her over to read your in-depth thoughts.Erica Ellishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13287111227397021695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7439109790681220541.post-72015505531802353312008-07-22T13:49:04.902-07:002008-07-22T13:49:04.902-07:00This is interesting to me personally, Jen, because...This is interesting to me personally, Jen, because I've thought a lot about embryos and ensoulment when thinking about our twins, since they were the same person for over a week! (didn't split till 8-10 days past conception) I had a great conversation with one of the parishioners with training in philosophy when he brought me Communion in the hospital. Did they have one soul when they were in one body, and then two after they split? did their souls split as well as their bodies? Did they have two souls from the beginning and that's WHY their body split? Did ensoulment not happen till after they split?<br><br>I personally think they had one soul when they were one person, and then two once they were two, but I admit I don't know the truth about it and it's pretty mind-boggling to ponder it!<br><br>But I know who they are now, and I think that's what's really important. I'm glad you're honoring these kids of yours already by treating them with the full dignity of personhood.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17185831697537364088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7439109790681220541.post-76747427852006022362008-07-22T19:28:05.767-07:002008-07-22T19:28:05.767-07:00You can tell that this is a very well thought out ...You can tell that this is a very well thought out process for you - which I think is amazing when dealing with such complex issues. As always- great job for helping a discussion of a very intricate subject.sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05816972200056579468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7439109790681220541.post-90248868757629299802008-07-23T07:27:22.618-07:002008-07-23T07:27:22.618-07:00Gosh, these were hard questions but ones that have...Gosh, these were hard questions but ones that have to be pondered and I think it's great you took them on. I was so terrified of reaching a point where someone told me IVF was our only option, because I think God has just always put it in **my** heart that it wasn't right for us. God has a different plan for all of us and individual plans for each little life in the works right now. All we can is pray and seek his will in all we do.Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914742489846963185noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7439109790681220541.post-40617161104877602402008-07-23T08:01:33.581-07:002008-07-23T08:01:33.581-07:00Jenn,This is awesome. The reason that I have a pr...Jenn,<br>This is awesome. The reason that I have a prob. with IVF is that reason. I admire you and your DH for your decision to adopt babies that many don'e consider to have life. Can't wait to hear updates.zanesmommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00264713926845256655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7439109790681220541.post-6282676097909028802008-07-26T17:42:30.034-07:002008-07-26T17:42:30.034-07:00I don't believe that life begins at fertilizat...I don't believe that life begins at fertilization, and my faith tradition doesn't either. But I so appreciate your discussion of the issues and the loving way you present your views. Very non-alienating, which seems hard for some (a lot of?) people of faith to do. The issues are very complex and I don't claim to have all the answers, either. I'm always grateful for your presentation, though this is the first time I've commented. After reading this post I do have one question. How will you present these issues to your children. In essence, they will only exist because another couple made what is - to you and your family - an unethical choice. If the other couple hadn't fertilized and frozen those embryos, you would not be able to carry them .... Do you see what I mean? They exist because of bad choices? I guess a lot of kids are taught that about themselves - because of unwed mothers? But how do you say that to your children one day - we don't believe in the way you were created? Thanks. And many blessings to you and your family.Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16598110545392725194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7439109790681220541.post-78119663722518689762008-07-26T17:44:49.798-07:002008-07-26T17:44:49.798-07:00Just re-read my post - and hoping it sounds like i...Just re-read my post - and hoping it sounds like it comes from the spirit of inquiry that I intended, and not harsh/alienating. Thanks. P.S. I have had both an HSN and an HSG. The HSN was MUCH LESS PAINFUL. Will be praying for your mock-sono.Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16598110545392725194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7439109790681220541.post-63638929073599186612008-07-29T09:02:10.065-07:002008-07-29T09:02:10.065-07:00Me again. Have continued thinking about this. Gues...Me again. Have continued thinking about this. Guess it is no different than the case of an adopted child who was born out of wedlock to a single mom and then put up for adoption. The Christian adoptive parents will necessarily teach that out of wedlock sex is a sin, but they are glad nonetheless that it happened (??) because that bad act brought them their beautiful child. Must be the same thing? IVF is immoral, but we are glad you are here, in essence. Anyway, thanks again for your thought-provoking posts.Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16598110545392725194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7439109790681220541.post-16418010466605478372008-07-30T22:54:52.292-07:002008-07-30T22:54:52.292-07:00wow...interesting thoughts. i am a christian woma...wow...interesting thoughts. i am a christian woman who felt comfortable and completely God-led through IVF...we prayed for the right amt of children/embryos and God gave us only 2 embryos...no pre-transfer "deaths" no decisions abuot what to do w/ leftover embryos...we just had 2...period. God blessed. Out of those 2 we had 1 stick and she is 15 mos old now. We won't be doing IVF again though...my husband & I do not have peace about it at all. <br><br>when we looked at EA we were instantly uncomfortable. I think the main reason for me was that it seemed as I read some of the specific families who were looking for a family for their embryos many of their embryos were created out of wedlock. A donor sperm or egg that went to a married couple. We didn't feel comfortable with this so we are choosing to go a different route for additional children.<br><br>I think your answers regarding fertilization/conception, ensoulment, transferring 2 (not 11...yikes!) are RIGHT ON. We had also decided to transfer no more than 2 and God worked it out perfectly. We knew I could likely carry 2 but had heard horror stories about 3 or more. We didn't want to go there.<br><br>I think it's very interesting to see so many different perspectives on IVF. I am glad, however, that I did not have a blog during that time b/c mostly after we conceived I started realizing how many christians are against it & I would've had a difficult time emotionally on a blog understanding that b/c I know that God opened that door for us.<br><br>BUT...now i can see that it's a personal decision way more than just an all around 'right or wrong'...i can handle the differences of opinions much better now without offense...but God definitely had to bring me thru the journey. :-)<br><br>anyway, sorry for the wicked long comment! love your blog...Elizabeth Byler Yountshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05063220668900409811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7439109790681220541.post-4680353280005333492008-08-06T10:12:47.345-07:002008-08-06T10:12:47.345-07:00A new reader here. Thanks so much for this post. I...A new reader here. Thanks so much for this post. I really enjoyed appreciated someone of faith addressing the issue in a non-offended, non-offensive way. I plan to pass on the link to some friends of mine. <br><br>If you are interested and/or if you have the time could you post about your views on IVF? Or point me toward a resource you might recommend? My husband and I (during our two years of IF and considering alternatives--including EA-- but God opened the womb in His time, instead) decided against it, but never could come up with any really concrete Scriptural reasons. A good Christian friend is now 12 weeks with their 2nd IVF (the first resulted in an early m/c). I would love to hear what you have to say on the topic.Herb of Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10226221709279544399noreply@blogger.com