Court allows mother to collect dead son’s sperm

This story just disturbed me, in a number of ways.

The story in a nutshell: Nik Evans died after a bar fight (he fell and hit his head).  His mother wants to carry out his wish of having children someday (according to her, he wanted three kids).  So before he’s taken off life support, she wanted to collect some of his sperm to carry out this wish.  Judge Guy Herman says yes.

This is a horrible story, and the mother is rightly grieving.  But keeping her son’s sperm so she can “keep a piece of him” isn’t the way to honor him.

There’s a bioethics expert from the University of Texas who says Texas state law gives parents control over a child’s body, but sperm isn’t clearly called out.  The problem here is that Evans wasn’t a child – he was 21, an adult for at least three years.  At want point do a parent’s right to the body of a child end?  Not having read the Texas law, I don’t know, and the article doesn’t mention it.

As an adoptive father and a supporter of zero population growth, I’m really disturbed that there are people out there collecting sperm from dead people to make more human beings.  We have plenty as it is - roughly 6.7 billion right now and counting – and we can’t keep them all fed and housed and clothed.  We don’t need more.

Texas judge allows collection of dead son's sperm

Abusing Children in the Name of God

I'm a libertarian - forcing anyone to do anything is anathema to me.  Telling people how to raise their children is also beyond what I think a civilized society should do.  However, with this libertarian philosophy comes the responsibility to do things correctly and appropriately.  I do not steal, not because the law forbids it, but because it is wrong to do so.  I do not kill, not because the law forbids it, but because it is wrong to so.  I care for my loved ones, not because the law requires it, but because it correct to do so.  I do these things - no one else.  Me.

This is why it baffles me that there are people out there who love and care for their children, but who leave their fates to a phantom spirit with sadistic tendencies.  Faith is not, and has never been, enough to someone to provide for their family.  If it were, they would not have to work to provide for food and shelter and clothing.  Why do they think it is enough when their child sprouts tumors or bleeds incessantly?

People who believe that a mythical spirit in the sky will take care of their children's ills and sicknesses are delusional, suffering from a form of mental illness, and should be treated as such.  Would you let a mentally ill person care for your child?  As much as I hater government involvement and intrusion into the personal lives of American citizens, the greater evil is letting children be raised (or killed) by mentally ill parents.

del.icio.us Tags: religion,government,atheism,responsibility

On Faith: Guest Voices: Abusing Children in the Name of God

Farkitrol® - It can help™ with Dangerous Playgrounditis.

From the folks who brought you Fark.com - this is wonderful.  A pill for parent's to turn off the over-protective behavior.  My skinned knees are thankful this wasn't needed when I was a kid...

Farkitrol® - It can help™ with Dangerous Playgrounditis.

del.icio.us Tags: parenting,humor,funny,fark,satire