February 23, 2002

Zain Hashmi has a rare

Zain Hashmi has a rare genetic disease that requires a bone marrow transplant. His parents want to conceive a sibling to get stem cells for Zain. The family got permission from British authorities to use genetic testing to pick out an embryo that's disease free.

British pro-life groups are upset. Peter Garrett asks, "Should we allow a child to be manufactured in order to serve the medical needs of an older brother? Life's answer is an emphatic 'no.'"

I'm pro-life and don't see any problem with conceiving a sibling to save another. My problem is with the embryos that will have the disease. They'll just be tossed away. They're human life as much as Zain Hashmi. They may not look like you or me, but that doesn't mean they have a lesser right to life. To disgard them as so much medical waste is abhorrent.

"Pro-Life Groups Outraged By Designer Baby Ruling"