Lesbian couples & single women queueing for fertility trtmnt

[Phil]

Lesbian couples and single women queueing for fertility treatment
http://www.helsinginsanomat.fi/english/ ... 1978716862

This article is kinda confusing...

The government is to bring its bill on fertility treatment before Parliament in the course of this spring. According to the controversial bill, a child would be entitled to know the identity of the biological father once he or she comes of age. Moreover, the sperm donor could be confirmed as the child's father, if the child's parents were not living in a heterosexual relationship.

Huh? So children will be popping up on your door 18-years after you decide to donate sperm? And if the people who picked your sperm happened to be lesbians, the kid will be calling you "daddy" ?

[becca]

Interesting mental picture: a Lesbian couple in Stockmann's, looking at sperm samples to decide which is most frisky....

[Phil]

From my blog...

I know we've discussed this before here and here, but I'm still confused. From today's Hesari<...

before Parliament in the course of this spring. According to the controversial bill, a child would be entitled to know the identity of the biological father once he or she comes of age. Moreover, the sperm donor could be confirmed as the child's father, if the child's parents were not living in a heterosexual relationship.

Huh? So, even if the sperm donor says he wants to remain anoymous, he might have some kid knocking at his door 18 years later? And if the kids parents happen to be gay, that kid might be calling him "daddy"?? I'm confused. Maybe you guys could shed some light on this topic? It sounds like this new law could really hamper the number of "good" sperm donors in Finland.

And why are lesbians treated like 3/5ths of a person in Finland? Why are single women allowed to adopt, but not lesbian couples? And what about gay men and single men? Why can't they adopt? I thought men and women are supposed to be equal? Does denying gay men the right to an adoption make up for the extra 3% men get in salary over women?

Here's my simple solution for all of this: Give sperm donors and mothers who want to give their babies up for adoption the right to choose where their sperm/babies go too. So when you goto the sperm bank, there are two questions:

1) Do you want your possible future kid coming to find you later in life? YES or NO
2) Who do you want to have your sperm? (check all that apply) a) straight couples b) gay couples c) lesbian couples d) single women e) single men f) other

Question #2 can also apply for mothers giving their baby up for adoption.

[mookoo]

So, even if the sperm donor says he wants to remain anoymous, he might have some kid knocking at his door 18 years later?

And why are lesbians treated like 3/5ths of a person in Finland? Why are single women allowed to adopt, but not lesbian couples? And what about gay men and single men? Why can't they adopt? I thought men and women are supposed to be equal? Does denying gay men the right to an adoption make up for the extra 3% men get in salary over women?

then ...

Here's my simple solution for all of this: Give sperm donors and mothers who want to give their babies up for adoption the right to choose where their sperm/babies go too. So when you goto the sperm bank, there are two questions:

1) Do you want your possible future kid coming to find you later in life? YES or NO
2) Who do you want to have your sperm? (check all that apply) a) straight couples b) gay couples c) lesbian couples d) single women e) single men f) other

Question #2 can also apply for mothers giving their baby up for adoption.

Phil, now I am confused. First it sounds like you are outraged about having the indentity of the donor released at all ... then you were outraged that gay couples and single men are discriminated against ... but wouldn't your "simple solution" just allow discrimination against gays to happen more easily as individuals could clearly and easily specify they ONLY want straight couples to recieve their sperm/babies ... leaving the gay folks and single parents high and dry (and still be perfectly within the law)? So, I am confused. Whose rights are you standing up for here ... the donors or the homosexuals?

[Phil]

Whose rights are you standing up for here ... the donors or the homosexuals?

Both! Currently, the governemnt appears to give NO rights to either.

but wouldn't your "simple solution" just allow discrimination against gays to happen more easily as individuals could clearly and easily specify they ONLY want straight couples to recieve their sperm/babies ... leaving the gay folks and single parents high and dry (and still be perfectly within the law)?

Your assuming that all sperm donors will refuse *their* sperm to gays. That's ridiculous. Sure, some may, but it's their sperm and they should have the right to choose where and whom it goes to.

My plan gives rights to both donors and gays in a system where they currently have no/few rights.

[mookoo]

[Your assuming that all sperm donors will refuse *their* sperm to gays. That's ridiculous.

You're really sure about that? Someone doesn't have to be totally Fred-Phelps-style anti-gay to prefer a heterosexual upbringing over a "non-traditional" family. Its just my gut feeling that most people would choose a heterosexual couple when no one is looking and there is no fear of anyone finding out or punishing them for their choice. I just don't think its a good idea.

But I do think donors should have a choice of whether to remain anonymous or not, no matter who the recipent will be.

[Phil]

You're really sure about that? Someone doesn't have to be totally Fred-Phelps-style anti-gay to prefer a heterosexual upbringing over a "non-traditional" family. Its just my gut feeling that most people would choose a heterosexual couple when no one is looking and there is no fear of anyone finding out or punishing them for their choice. I just don't think its a good idea.

Maybe people in Kansas are like that.

But seriously, don't you think people should have the right to choose where there sperm goes?

But I do think donors should have a choice of whether to remain anonymous or not, no matter who the recipent will be.

[mrjimsfc]

If you're really that worried about it, then just don't donate. DUH!!

[Phil]

If you're really that worried about it, then just don't donate. DUH!!

Exactly, that's my big concern over this issue. People will get worried and stop donating. The only people donating will be the bums and rejects who will be dead in 18 years when some kid comes looking for alimony.

[superiorinferior]

Exactly, that's my big concern over this issue. People will get worried and stop donating. The only people donating will be the bums and rejects who will be dead in 18 years when some kid comes looking for alimony.

Phil, I gotta say, you seem a bit preoccupied with sperm donors in general. This is not the first time you have brought this issue up.

One thing I gotta ask is, how do you type so well with one hand?

[Phil]

Phil, I gotta say, you seem a bit preoccupied with sperm donors in general. This is not the first time you have brought this issue up.

Look, as long as my toilet plumbing is directly connected to a sperm bank I'm alright.

[khu]

Why would the idea of a lack of sperm donations worry you, Phil?

[Phil]

Why would the idea of a lack of sperm donations worry you, Phil?

I dunno, the same reason why the war in Iraq worry everyone.

[superiorinferior]

I dunno, the same reason why the war in Iraq worry everyone.

C'mon, there must be a real reason.

[Phil]

You see, unlike you guys, I'm also concerned with issues that don't affect me.