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I The case of Molly Nash (Denver Post, 12/14/2002)
Molly was born with Fanconi
anemia, a rare and fatal disease, treatable only by a blood transfusion from a
sibling’s umbilical cord.
Lisa and Jack, using in
vitro fertilization, created twelve embryos. By genetic screening, it was
determined that two had Franconi’s and were discarded. One of the remaining ten
was a tissue match to Molly, and eventually became Adam Nash, now age 2. It is
not clear what happened to the other nine.embryos.
Molly was treated and
instead of dying by age 7 is expected to have a relatively normal life.
Discuss
the science and ethics that apply to this case.
Jorge was born 3 months
prematurely on Dec 25th to Marisa and Nestor Morales.
At birth he was the size of
a quart of milk, weighing 1# 8 oz. He had multiple defects. Two weeks after
birth additional defects were found.
Between six and nine
surgeries would be required, with varying degrees of risk, with the probability
of impaired vision, mental retardation and cerebral palsy very high.
Marisa and Nestor decided
against heroics. Jorge died peaceably, in his mother’s arms, on January 18.
Discuss the science and ethics
in this case