Our son Charlie suffers from a rare disorder resulted from genetic mutation that prevents his body from producing red blood cells, causing him to rely on daily medications and frequent transfusions. And even though Charlie could live during such close medical care, he would not be able to lead a normal life like other children of his age.

Therefore my wife and I proposed using vitro fertilization and screening techniques to select and implant an embryo which would be most able to donate blood-making cells to Charlie. However the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority rejected our request, saying that it was not right to create a human life with the express intent of saving another life.

We are unable to accept their decision. They are considering this issue only from their own point of view and making judgments about the morality of it. Have they put themselves into the shoes of us parents who have seen Charlie suffer through transfusion and daily medications? Indeed, part of the reasons for having this other child is to make him/her a suitable donor for Charlie, but why is it not right to create a human life with the intent of saving another? Of course I would understand if the context is that we create a child to save Charlie and abandon him/her after the purpose is fulfilled, but this is not the case! This child, donor to Charlie or otherwise, is our own children and we would love the child as much as we did of Charlie. It does not mean that screening for genetic match would make this child any less than ours. If the authority would allow bringing to term of any child we made using vitro fertilization, why refuse our request to simply carry out a screening that would not only bring us a new child but also save the brother of this child?

There will absolutely be no physical harm to this child and the possible psychological harms of the child feeling subordinated to Charlie of unwanted because of this situation is minimum if not non-existent as we have repeatedly stated that if we love Charlie we would love this child just as much because we are parents and they are all our children, there is no difference in that. And if this child is able to help Charlie, I’m sure he/she will benefit from the presence of a healthy brother, knowing that it is him/herself that brought about the possibility of a happy family.

-Mr and Mrs Whitaker