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Lottery to Win a Baby Sparks Controversy in Britain
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/07/07/uk-fertility-lottery-sparks-controversy/?test=faces
A new lottery in the U.K. offering contestants the chance to “win a baby” through expensive in-vitro fertilization treatments is causing a stir.
The sweepstakes, run by the fertility charity To Hatch and set to launch this month, is drawing criticism by some ethical and medical groups who say it is “demeaning,” Reuters reports.
For $32 a ticket, winners can win $25,000 of personalized fertility treatments at one of Great Britain's top five facilities. Individuals and couples, straight, gay or elderly are eligible for this prize.
Also included in this prize is a stay at a luxury hotel, and a chauffeur-driven ride to the treatment facility. They also will be given the option of reproductive surgery, donor eggs and sperm or a surrogate birth if the standard IVF fails.
Some ethical and medical groups in Britain are outraged at this lottery. Britain's fertility regulator, the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority, said that this lottery was "wrong and entirely inappropriate," adding in a statement: "It trivializes what is for many people a central part of their lives," Reuters reported.
The founder and chair of the charity, Camille Strachan, told Reuters she wanted to create the "ultimate wish list" for those who are unable to conceive children.
The Gambling Commission commented that it "noted reaction to the scheme, but said it had no regulatory powers to intervene and that any decision to revoke a license would be a government one," reported Reuters.
The lottery launches on July 30, and a lucky potential parent will be chosen every month.
A new lottery in the U.K. offering contestants the chance to “win a baby” through expensive in-vitro fertilization treatments is causing a stir.
The sweepstakes, run by the fertility charity To Hatch and set to launch this month, is drawing criticism by some ethical and medical groups who say it is “demeaning,” Reuters reports.
For $32 a ticket, winners can win $25,000 of personalized fertility treatments at one of Great Britain's top five facilities. Individuals and couples, straight, gay or elderly are eligible for this prize.
Also included in this prize is a stay at a luxury hotel, and a chauffeur-driven ride to the treatment facility. They also will be given the option of reproductive surgery, donor eggs and sperm or a surrogate birth if the standard IVF fails.
Some ethical and medical groups in Britain are outraged at this lottery. Britain's fertility regulator, the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority, said that this lottery was "wrong and entirely inappropriate," adding in a statement: "It trivializes what is for many people a central part of their lives," Reuters reported.
The founder and chair of the charity, Camille Strachan, told Reuters she wanted to create the "ultimate wish list" for those who are unable to conceive children.
The Gambling Commission commented that it "noted reaction to the scheme, but said it had no regulatory powers to intervene and that any decision to revoke a license would be a government one," reported Reuters.
The lottery launches on July 30, and a lucky potential parent will be chosen every month.
After 7 years of infertility and being unable to afford fertility treatments I can understand why people would want this opportunity. It's not like someone is auctioning off their own child.
Yeah...I don't know what to think about this. I understand both sides of the argument. I've never had to struggle to have children, so I can't imagine what it feels like for some couples to try for years without success, and spend thousands of dollars on fertility treatments with no guarantees. The fact that there are certainly many people who can't afford the treatments makes me think this "lottery" isn't the worst thing that could ever happen--at least it gives some an opportunity.
I can see how some people would not want this...But i say why not? If there are women TTC (trying to conceive) and they can't naturally, why shouldn't they be given the opportunity? JMO
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