Being something of a science nerd (shout-out to my fellow bio majors, holla back at me), I was excited to read that scientists around the world are actively trying to create eggs from male DNA, and sperm from female DNA. The implications are astounding and likely to stir up controversy across the globe. If this technology is viable, it would allow gay and lesbian couples to create biological children with DNA from both parents– a true gayby!
(If these reproductive techniques are made to work, there will still be biological limitations. Gay couples will need a willing uterus to carry the child to term. And since women have two X chromosomes, lesbian couples will need a Y chromosome in order to produce male offspring.)
But what does this all really mean? For the first time, homosexual couples could have reproductive options that rival those of their straight counterparts. Yes, one could argue that gays already can produce biological children via IVF (in vitro fertilization)– but these children receive their genetic information from only one parent, not both.
Naturally, there will be controversy. Those who oppose homosexuality on the grounds that homosexuals cannot reproduce will not be swayed by the possibility of genetically engineered children. Conservative and religious zealots aside, there are also weighty bio-ethical considerations. Is it right to tamper with nature to this degree? But isn’t that what people said about so-called ‘test-tube babies’ at first?
And if females can reproduce with other females, are males made irrelevant? The evolutionary implications are fascinating.
Let’s assume optimistically that this technology becomes legally available to the public in 20 years. It will be prohibitively expensive, especially for gay male couples, who will likely have to pay a woman to carry the embryo to term. Just look at IVF, which has been around for years and years but is still a financial impossibility for many couples.
If I do decide I want to have a genetic child with my future-partner, will I be able to afford it? Should I start a gayby savings account now in hopes I’ll have saved enough by age 40?
I know I’m still young, but better to start now while the power of compound interest is still on my side. Heck, even adoption is an expensive option, and simply having money bookmarked for a gayby doesn’t mean I’m committed to having one.
Is having a child that shares my DNA even all that important to me? Truthfully, I’m not sure yet. I have straight friends on both sides of the fence. One of my friends from college is adopted and told me that she only wants to have adopted kids herself. But then I’ve got another friend who said he only wants to have biological children. I can relate to both viewpoints. Am I being unreasonably selfish and/or immature if I opt for a biological child instead of an adopted child?
What do you think about this? Would you want a gayby?
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