Parents of West Point Cadet Killed in Accident Obtain Order to Preserve His Sperm ---
I do not think this should be done without the son leaving written permission. To me this is a breach of body autonomy.
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Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.I'm not sure if this cadet was the parent's only son - in which case I might be able to understand how they'd be desperate to keep the family bloodline going. In fact, they would see it as the last hope. That's natural - I get it - it's why people breed to begin with - well, in a majority of cases. Having written that, I want to make clear that it's not something that I would do. My son has made clear that he doesn't want children and so were something to happen to him tomorrow - I wouldn't go against that even though he's the last one that can extend this family line. However, had he not made his wishes clear to me - I might consider this - it's not like his corpse would be capable of caring and my son is an avowed non-theist. Knowing that tells me that he wouldn't care what happened to his leftovers after death. All non-theists should be organ donors - why would any of us care if our leftovers are buried with organs in tact? Let us biodegrade in the backyard garden - it's just meat - it's organic - well, unless the person had radiation therapy - wouldn't want that contaminating the lettuce.
SLBushway
Level 7
Mar 7, 2019
0
If my son or daughter were to die, I would not harvest sperm or egg from either. However, I see no reason to impose my personal values on that young man’s family. Nor will I judge them for their decision. They know their family and culture far better than I. And, they know their son and his values better than I. Add to that the fact that he is an organ donor and you get the sense that he is not against the sharing of his organs and other body parts. Presumably, his sperm would fall into that.
Also, this is not the first situation in which men and women who have died have had their sperm or eggs harvested for use in the future.
Rob1948
Level 7
Mar 6, 2019
0
Sounds like a great plot starter for a horror movie. Demon Seed: My Mother Made Me Do It.
Beowulfsfriend
Level 9
Mar 5, 2019
2
I find it interesting that so many comments are so vehemently opposed to this action by the guys parents. I mean if one does not have any belief in an afterlife the guy is now worm food. So why would he care? I noticed in the article that he was a organ donor how is donating sperm to his parents all that different in relation to his body autonomy? This quote “deeply personal cultural reasons as well.” to me says something too. I think the judge was correct in allowing this. If someone, a another family member or perhaps someone the guy was in a dedicated relationship with, came forward maybe there would be a opposing voice. But considering the cultural importance of family for these people I see nothing wrong with this. Take for example a woman who gets pregnant with a casual partner and then decides to keep the baby? While I think the man could have a case for parental rights he should certainly not have the right to force the woman to abort the baby even though arguably the sperm being his property some might say (NOT ME) gives him cause. I would be curious how they plan on carrying on the family name as it were. Perhaps a surrogate they would raise?
Quarm
Level 6
Mar 5, 2019
3
@mzbehavin The guys a corpse not a person so he cannot have a say either way. And why do any of us from the outside have the right to say this is not what he wanted? If anyone knows such a thing would it not be his parents? The internet makes us all think everything is our business. If you approach this logically the guy was born and raised in a culture that valued children and male children especially. He was from all accounts a loved and valued child. If anyone came forward in front of the judge in opposition to his parents request then that would be a different story. You are assuming he was opposed to this. I would argue if anyone has the knowledge and the right to voice his wishes it would be his parents.
@mzbehavin Habing a coma is far from a corpse. And no I would not support that for reasons completely different from this situation primarily the health risks of a comatose woman carrying a baby to term. And no I am not assuming he was not opposed to it I am recognizing that his parents have far more of a window on his will then any of us do. If he had been a woman and they wanted to harvest her eggs I would have the same view. For an Atheist you seem oddly obsessed with a corpses rights. As he was a organ donor one could argue his sperm could have been donated to a third party? I just look at the facts and all the relevant information to me points towards the guy wanting to have children. Your right we are all allowed opinion. Mine is supported I think by all the relevant information in the article; his history, his culture and his parents viewpoint.
If he is an organ donor and no Living Will, this could be acceptable.
I'm a parent, I can't cast judgement on them.
I don't know what I'd do in this situation. Seems odd, but we don't know their reasoning. I hope they mean well.
SleeplessInTexas
Level 8
Mar 5, 2019
1
@mzbehavin Did you have your sons(if you have any) circumcised? Ears pierced on daughter’s? Vaccines?
I’m curious because I’ve recently become aware of groups such as Blood Stained Men, most of whom were circumcised at birth and are now gey pissed off about it.
I had my son circumcised after my father shared his story of having to have it done at 19, following a lifetime of problems. My daughter’s ears were pierced on her first birthday. Neither child ever has expressed an opinion, one way or the other.
I’m an RN and student of history, so I had them fully vaccinated, too. My daughter had braces. She wasn’t crazy about them, lol, but appreciates her smile now.
I think as parents we just make the best choices we can, at the time they must be made, with whatever we have to work with.
@mzbehavin I agree that in their grief, they went too far. I would not desecrate my child’s body. I know they’re dead and gone, but the rest of the folks in their lives will have to deal with this choice.
Another thing, if my son hadn’t decided to have a child on his own, What right do I have? (In fact, nether of mine have/want kids, ages 36 and 37).
When mine were born, circumcision was a choice, and a popular one, but I had not heard much discussion about it being traumatic in later years to men. Interesting debate, a lot to think about.
@mzbehavin Your mother was going to pierce them without your consent?! That’s so far over the line of acceptable.
We had my daughter’s done at a place with two employees; they marked fits on her ears and did them both at once. She looked startled for a moment, then was fine. If she had cried, I would have too!
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