Mother Freezes Her Eggs

Posted by Joanna Karpasea-Jones Sep 7, 2007

Canadian Melanie Boivin, whose 7 year old daughter has Turner Syndrome and is likely to be sterile, has received a mixed response from the public and professionals when it was announced that she has frozen her own eggs for her daughter to use when she is older.

The egg collection was carried out at the Reproductive Center in Montreal, by Professor Sean Lin.

It effectively means that if the girl were to use the eggs, she would be giving birth to her own brother or sister.

Melanie Boivin does not see the objection and said it's the same as donating a kidney to a daughter, but I disagree, as that action would not result in the recipient giving birth to their own sibling.

I have no doubt that the action came about by motherly love and that her motives were pure enough, but what about the potiential child? His grandmother would also be his genetic mother, and his birth mother, his half-sister.

Psychologists are warning that this could have a negative impact on the child, causing him to have identity problems and 'genealogical bewilderment.'

Boivin said she wanted to do everything in her power to help her daughter, which is a heart warming sentiment, but should a woman really be enabled to have a child at all costs? Even if that means giving birth to her sibling? In this case, I don't think so, for the child involved in the procedure is a person too and if that was me, I wouldn't want my mother to be my sister.