http://www.pollentree.com/feed/ Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:08:35 +0000 PollenTree en http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://www.pollentree.com/sperm-donation/q-and-a/question/show/looking-for-a-donor- http://www.pollentree.com/sperm-donation/q-and-a/question/show/looking-for-a-donor- Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:55:03 +0000 http://www.pollentree.com/adoption/q-and-a/question/show/how-do-i-delete-my-profile http://www.pollentree.com/adoption/q-and-a/question/show/how-do-i-delete-my-profile Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:54:57 +0000 http://www.pollentree.com/adoption/news/adoption-news/adoption-scam-and-trafficking-663 http://www.pollentree.com/adoption/news/adoption-news/adoption-scam-and-trafficking-663
While the lawyer at the centre of the baby trafficking plot remains on the run, the families who returned home last weekend have insisted they believed they were acting legally.


Trafficking racket
Offices belonging to the Lopez Y Lopez firm in Guadalajara have been raided and documents seized and six employees detained by police. Carlos Lopez, who claims to have arranged the adoption of up to 60 children from Mexico to Ireland since 2004, is wanted over the apparent trafficking racket.


Irish couples
The 11 couples, in their 30s and 40s and mainly from Dublin, are said to have followed official rules to the letter and only remained in the country after the affair broke more than a week ago to give statements to authorities.

Carlos Montoya, a lawyer from Guadalajara, western Mexico, acting for the couples, said they were carrying all relevant documentation needed to complete legal adoption in Mexico. “All the families believed they were involved in public, Hague-compliant, legal adoptions.


All families had valid Declarations to Adopt from Mexico as issued by the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI).” Mr Montoya added: “I can tell you this much: they are innocent. They tried to adopt children legally. “They did not know what was going on, they had no suspicions of wrongdoing and they called the Irish embassy when police started asking questions.”


US adoption agency
A US-based adoption agency is believed to have put the couples in contact with Lopez, who has claimed to have acted as a go-between for 20 years with families from around the world. The scam involved mothers of babies being paid about 755 US dollars or their youngsters to take part in photoshoots for a number of days. Instead they were being groomed for trafficking in illegal adoption.


Adoption cost
Prosecutors believe childless couples seeking a youngster from Mexico, who went through rigorous checks under the Hague Convention, were charged expenses to cover medical bills, lawyers’ rates, nanny services and expensive flat charges, up to 30,000 US dollars.


Irish authorities
A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs said the couples only remained in Mexico to give statements. No Irish people have been arrested.

Read more at: irishexaminer.com]]> Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:54:55 +0000 http://www.pollentree.com/ivf/news/ivf-news/three-person-ivf-consultation http://www.pollentree.com/ivf/news/ivf-news/three-person-ivf-consultation

Inherited defects
Mitochondria can be found within almost every human cell, and provide the energy they need to function, much like a battery. Like the nucleus of the cell, they contain DNA, although in very small quantities. Approximately 1 in 5,000 babies is born with inherited defects in their mitochondrial DNA, the effects of which can be very severe, or even fatal, depending on which cells are affected.

Scientists believe they have found a way to substitute the defective mitochondria and hopefully prevent the child from developing a disease.


Three person technique
They take two eggs, one from the mother and another from a donor. The nucleus of the donor egg is removed, leaving the rest of the egg contents, including the mitochondria, and is replaced with the nucleus from the mother's egg. The resulting embryo has properly functioning mitochondria from the donor, and should, in theory, be healthy. This replacement is like replacing a battery and therefore has no impact on the DNA that determines other factors, such as appearance.


Genetic manipulation
Even though the child would have a very limited genetic contribution from the third person, there is still opposition from some groups, who say such genetic manipulation carries risks.


IVF law change
A change in the law would be needed before it could be offered to patients.


Government consultation
Announcing the consultation, David Willetts, minister for universities and science, said: "Scientists have made an important and potentially life-saving discovery in the prevention of mitochondrial disease. "However, as with all developments in cutting-edge science, it is vital that we to listen to the public's views before we consider any change in the law allowing it to be used." It is hoped the consultation will be complete by the end of this year.


Wellcome Trust
Sir Mark Walport, from the Wellcome Trust, said the technique might prevent previously incurable diseases. "We welcome the opportunity to discuss with the public why we believe this technique is essential if we are to give families affected by these diseases the chance to have healthy children, something most of us take for granted."


Newcastle University
Prof Doug Turnbull, from Newcastle University, added: "Every year we see hundreds of patients whose lives are seriously affected by mitochondrial disease. "We want to make a major difference to the lives of these patients."


Genetic Alliance
Groups representing patients and their families also welcomed the announcement. Alastair Kent, from Genetic Alliance UK, said that the impact of mitochondrial disease could be "devastating". He said: "It will be quite a long time before this is available as a clinical service, and our primary concern is to make sure the technique is safe. "But it would be sensible and reasonable to offer it to prevent these conditions."

Read more at: bbc.co.uk/news
]]> Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:29:23 +0000 http://www.pollentree.com/sperm-donation/q-and-a/question/show/sperm-donor-wanted-in-norwich-norfolk-uk http://www.pollentree.com/sperm-donation/q-and-a/question/show/sperm-donor-wanted-in-norwich-norfolk-uk Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:41:33 +0000 http://www.pollentree.com/sperm-donation/q-and-a/question/show/anyone-willing-to-donate--659 http://www.pollentree.com/sperm-donation/q-and-a/question/show/anyone-willing-to-donate--659
preferably if the donor would live within the United States, west coast area and would be of Hispanic or the african american ethnicity that would be a plus! 

Once again Thank You! 
]]> Sun, 05 Feb 2012 05:36:02 +0000 http://www.pollentree.com/ivf/news/ivf-news/ivf-method-may-reduce-multiple-births-and-increase-success http://www.pollentree.com/ivf/news/ivf-news/ivf-method-may-reduce-multiple-births-and-increase-success
Results of the study were published in the journal Fertility and Sterility. Researchers at Cardiff University and Oxford University were able to view specific internal movements, called ‘spasms’ of a human egg. The movements have been linked to exact timing of biochemical changes during fertilization.


IVF selection treatment
Researchers pointed out that IVF treatment takes selection criteria such as the number of cells, as well as appearance of cells produced and involves choosing the healthiest egg for implantation. "The implantation of selected eggs using current methods requires days in culture and does not always succeed" said Professor Karl Swann from Cardiff University's School of Medicine, who led the research.


Rhythmic cytoplasmic motions
According to Professor Swann previous research in an animal model found "rhythmic cytoplasmic motions" predict successful embryo development, the same type of movements also occur in human eggs. “We have now discovered that this method has the potential to be applied to human eggsm" said Professor Swann.


IVF viability
Researchers hope that the new information will help provide an early and effective indication of viability of successful pregnancy in human IVF.


IVF statistics 
Currently about 1 in 4 in vitro fertilizations leads to multiple birth and women using IVF are 20 times more likely to have multiple pregnancies. Also, the live birth rate is 30-35 percent for women under 35 and less than 6-10 percent for women over the age of 40.

Reade more at: medicaldaily.com
]]> Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:34:36 +0000 http://www.pollentree.com/adoption/news/adoption-news/khloe-and-kim-kardashian-to-adopt http://www.pollentree.com/adoption/news/adoption-news/khloe-and-kim-kardashian-to-adopt
With their sister Kourtney Kardashian pregnant with her second child, it seems that Kim and Khloe are looking into adoption.


Khloe Kardashian IVF
Khloe and her husband Lamar Odom would like a large family, but after almost two years of trying, the impatient couple has started to explore other options, including in vitro fertilization (IVF). However, so far, all their efforts at IVF have been unsuccessful.


Khloe & Lamar adoption
Now it seems that Khloe and Lamar are seriously considering adoption. Insiders who know the couple say they would have no trouble loving a baby that is not biologically theirs.


Kim Kardashian Haitian adoption
Kim Kardashian may be fresh from her divorce from Kris Humphries but she too wants a baby. But it’s not for the honourable motives that Khloe and Lamar have. It seems that after Kim’s recent charity trip to Haiti, she apparently decided she wanted to adopt a Haitian baby, just like Angelina Jolie has done from other countries.

Read more at: celebritynewsandstyle.com]]> Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:54:04 +0000 http://www.pollentree.com/ivf/news/ivf-news/couple-win-battle-for-nhs-ivf-funding http://www.pollentree.com/ivf/news/ivf-news/couple-win-battle-for-nhs-ivf-funding
Previously Portsmouth PCT stated they were not eligible to access state-funded IVF, and so would have to turn to private providers


Previous child
The couple, who had been trying for a baby for three years, were told they did not meet the local criteria of being “childless”, because Mr Marshall had a child from a previous relationship even though this child lived 200 miles away with his former wife. Mrs Marshall was also slightly over the local age limit of 30 - 34, even though national guidelines state that treatment should be funded for women aged between 23 and 39.


IVF national guidelines
Like thousands of other couples they were denied treatment because of increasingly tough restrictions on IVF funding by NHS bodies. Although national guidance states that women should be given three cycles of infertility treatment, only one in four Primary Care Trusts now follows this guidance.


Individual funding request
However the Marshalls made a series of appeals through a process known as an Individual Funding Request, and their infertility treatment will now be funded by Portsmouth PCT. However, their victory, is not binding on other health bodies.


Devastated
Mr Marshall, 41, and Mrs Marshall, 36, said: “We were devastated when we were told we would not be eligible for IVF funding on the NHS because of his child from a previous relationship. “We were told to pay privately for IVF treatment or keep trying for a baby naturally. We do not have a child together as a couple (despite having regular contact with his child from his first marriage) and it felt terribly unfair and put a huge strain on us. “It is bad enough when you are struggling to conceive without being told you will not be offered IVF funding on the NHS and you have the added worry and burden of having to pay privately for treatment.


Exceptional case
Portsmouth PCT said it could not discuss individual cases but added that it considers "exceptional cases" where refusing funding may relieve psychological distress.

Read more at: telegraph.co.uk
]]> Sun, 05 Feb 2012 01:28:19 +0000 http://www.pollentree.com/adoption/news/adoption-news/northern-ireland-gay-and-unmarried-adoption-challenge http://www.pollentree.com/adoption/news/adoption-news/northern-ireland-gay-and-unmarried-adoption-challenge Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has brought a legal challenge against the Stormont government executive in a bid to force a legislative overhaul of adoption law.

The Commission claims the current arrangements discriminate against unmarried and civil partnership couples and so breach human rights.

Gay and unmarried couples in Northern Ireland are being denied adoption rights without any consideration of their ability to provide a loving home, the High Court has heard.

It is argued that the current law is at odds with the rest of the UK. It was also claimed that the law was not in the best interests of children.


Judicial review
Beginning the application for judicial review, Monye Anyadike-Danes QC said: "Northern Ireland is the only part of the United Kingdom which provides a gateway for adoption through which only couples who are married may pass."


Lesbian couple challenge
The challenge has been backed by an unidentified lesbian woman and her partner who want to adopt a child together.   


House of Lords
Reference was also made to an unmarried couple from Northern Ireland who won an exceptional right to adopt after taking their case to the House of Lords.


Success
If the Commission succeeds it would remove the adoption ban completely. It is seeking to ensure everyone, irrespective of sexual orientation or marital status, has the opportunity to provide a loving and secure home, the court was told.


Eligiblity for adoption
She stressed that the case was focused on the eligibility stage of the adoption process, rather than the later assessment stage. "That is the right time to look at circumstances," the barrister said. "Not to exclude people with a blanket barrier without even knowing whether they have the qualities to offer a child a nurturing and loving and permanent home." She argued that there was no justification for the alleged discrimination. "The current state of the law, we say, is not something that has been established to be in the best interest of the child." 

Read more at: bbc.co.uk/news
]]> Sun, 05 Feb 2012 20:29:35 +0000 http://www.pollentree.com/adoption/news/adoption-news/brooke-shields-adoption-joking-654 http://www.pollentree.com/adoption/news/adoption-news/brooke-shields-adoption-joking-654
Shields and screenwriter Chris Henchy have two daughters, Rowan and Grier, and the actress is dying to add another child to their brood.

The actress jokingly said, “I would die for one (baby). Unfortunately, my husband is not as amenable. So I either have to trick him or lie to him to get knocked up. “He said to me the other day, ‘I’m beginning to think that if I don’t give this to you, you’ll do it on your own.’ It’s like, ‘Don’t test me. I’m very independent.’

But I’m older so my eggs probably need a chisel. “Maybe I should wait and then adopt. We have a lovely home and life and I want to be able to share it with a big family. But maybe it’s supposed to be done in a different way, an altruistic way.”

Read more at: opposingviews.com]]> Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:56:23 +0000 http://www.pollentree.com/adoption/news/adoption-news/gay-adoption-stopped-by-columbian-authorities-653 http://www.pollentree.com/adoption/news/adoption-news/gay-adoption-stopped-by-columbian-authorities-653

Sexuality issue
The authorities acknowledge that his sexuality was an issue but claim it was the that fact he kept it a secret from the children that they objected to - a claim Chandler Burr says is totally false.

Mr Burr, (a novelist, former New York Times columnist, and museum curator) described his stuggle after the adoption process was halted at the last minute.


Adoption approved
In 2009 Burr travelled to Colombia and, through the Colombian Family Welfare Unit (ICBF), began the process of adopting the two boys, now aged 9 and 13. The institute approved the application, allowing the children to spend the summer of 2009 in New York. It was only during the final preparations in May 2011 that problems arose.


Children removed
According to Burr, after mentioning his sexuality in an informal conversation, a lawyer representing the ICBF removed the children from his care and interrogated them on the issue, before notifying Burr that he would not be able to take them back to the U.S.

The new director of ICBF, Diego Molano, has defended the decision on the basis that the children have "a right to know who their father is", and that Mr. Burr had hidden this important information about his sexual orientation from them.

Mr. Burr says the children knew that he was gay and didn't have any problem with it. Burr reported, "When the lawyer asked them if they knew I was gay, my eldest son Brian, who is 13, responded 'I know and I don't care.'"


Court case
According to former judge Eduardo Montealegre, "Colombian law allows a single person to adopt a child. Furthermore, there is no prohibition or limitation restricting adoption based on the sexual orientation of the individual."

However the reality is that adoption by gay men in Colombia is seldom allowed. Burr has vowed to fight the Colombian authorities on the issue.

Read more at: colombiareports.com
]]> Sun, 05 Feb 2012 08:54:17 +0000 http://www.pollentree.com/sperm-donation/q-and-a/question/show/help-me-xx- http://www.pollentree.com/sperm-donation/q-and-a/question/show/help-me-xx- Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:10:07 +0000 http://www.pollentree.com/ivf/news/ivf-news/ivf-clinic-destroys-donated-eggs http://www.pollentree.com/ivf/news/ivf-news/ivf-clinic-destroys-donated-eggs
The news was given to the couple, known only as Chris and Lorraine, over the phone on the evening they returned from IVF Wales, in Cardiff.


Trying for seven years
The couple, who had been trying for seven years to have a baby, are now calling for urgent action to ensure others do not suffer the heartache they have had to endure.


Previous errors
Their loss is just the latest in a series of errors at the south Wales clinic. Earlier this month the clinic came under fire for mistakenly destroying sperm donated by cancer patients about to undergo treatment. The mistake was revealed by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, which regulates IVF centres in the UK.


HFEA concerned
The HFEA report said it was 'extremely concerned' by the errors at the clinic this year. Chris, 35, and Lorraine, 34, (who do not want to reveal their full identities) were just two of the victims. The couple, from Barry, south Wales, have now begun legal proceedings.


Sister donated eggs
The couple turned to IVF after trying to start a family without success for seven years. They went through a cycle of IVF in 2007 when Lorraine, a care worker, produced two eggs, one showing low fertility and the other failing to fertilise. She turned to her sister who agreed to donate eggs. The couple were delighted when 10 eggs donated by Lorraine's sister in February were described by consultants as 'of exceptional quality'.


Mechanical error
But hours later, they received a call from IVF Wales telling them of their destruction in a 'mechanical error'.


Donated eggs destroyed in accident
Chris, Lorraine, her sister and their parents were all summoned to a meeting at the clinic that night. They listened in disbelief as they were told a pipette containing all 10 eggs had hit a microscope during a transfer to a dish. All were destroyed in the accident. 'I was left numb by what happened and couldn't really take in what I was being told at the time,' said Lorraine.


Embryo error
IVF Wales hit the headlines in 2009 when it settled a case where a couple whose last viable embryo was transferred to the wrong patient.


Publicity and legal process
Dr Graham Shortland, medical director for Cardiff and Vale University Health Board which hosts IVF Wales, said: 'As those involved have instigated legal proceedings against IVF Wales, we are unable to comment in detail on this case. 'However, we would like to make clear that all clinical incidents are reported robustly, in line with HFEA requirements. 'Patients are offered support throughout the process, investigations are rigorous and there are systems in place to ensure lessons are learned. 'It is disappointing that the legal firm representing the couple has chosen to invoke the media while the legal process remains in train, thus hampering the UHB's ability to comment in any detail.'

Reade more at: dailymail.co.uk
]]> Sun, 05 Feb 2012 08:25:26 +0000 http://www.pollentree.com/sperm-donation/q-and-a/question/show/can-you-help-us http://www.pollentree.com/sperm-donation/q-and-a/question/show/can-you-help-us
We live in Hampshire, near Reading.

Please help us.
]]> Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:46:38 +0000 http://www.pollentree.com/adoption/news/adoption-news/gay-adoption-fight-in-illinois-649 http://www.pollentree.com/adoption/news/adoption-news/gay-adoption-fight-in-illinois-649
The Thomas More Society, the law firm representing the agencies in their fight with the state, announced it will file a motion to dismiss their lawsuit because they claim "the actions of the State have prevented the Charities from being able to obtain relief from the Illinois court system."


Appeal too late
Because the state already began transferring the charities' case load to other agencies willing to work with same-sex couples months ago, the agency says even a future court decision in favor of their appeal would come "too late."


State cancels contracts
Earlier this year, the state moved to cancel $30.6 million worth of contracts with the charities because they were not following state non-discrimination laws in denying adoption and foster care placements for couples entered into the state's newly-approved civil union law.

The charities argued that they shouldn't be forced to place children in families whose lives don't align with Catholic teaching, namely unmarried couples.

The judges ultimately agreed with the state in the lawsuit, originally filed in June.


LGBT view
Anthony Martinez, executive director of Illinois LGBT advocacy group The Civil Rights Agenda, said in a statement that the charities dropping the lawsuit "is a step in the right direction for what is best for all the citizens of this great state." "Finding a loving home for the thousands of children in the foster/adoption system should be the priority, not trying to exclude people based on religious dogma."


Legislative move
Last month, state Senator Kyle McCarter (R-Lebanon) filed legislation that would amend the state's civil union law to allow for the charities to continue to not serve same-sex couples in licensing foster and adoptive parents on the state's behalf. It is as yet unclear what impact the charities' motion to dismiss its case against the state will have against that pending legislation.

Read more at: huffingtonpost.com]]> Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:42:35 +0000 http://www.pollentree.com/adoption/news/adoption-news/adoption-over-ivf-treatment http://www.pollentree.com/adoption/news/adoption-news/adoption-over-ivf-treatment
Carole, who asked to be identified by her first name only, is proud mother to five-year-old Bea, and says it’s the best decision she and her husband Andy ever made.


Raising adoption awareness
They are helping Hampshire County Council raise awareness of adoption. The council is especially keen to hear from prospective adopters who are happy to become parents to children aged two and above, sibling groups and children with special needs.


Infertility
Carole had resigned herself to being childless after IVF and a frozen embryo transfer treatment failed. “Infertility can be so crushing,” she said.


Adoption option
“I thought I wasn’t going to be a mum then I bumped into a friend who was leaving work to become an adoptive parent. She encouraged me to make some inquiries, I’d heard it was tough but she said it was nowhere near as tough as IVF and the outcome was so positive so that set us thinking.”


Adoption process
Carole said she found it a tough but really interesting process and said social workers assigned to her and her husband were very supportive throughout. She and Andy are now embarking on a second adoption to find a sister for Bea and say the process for second timers is much easier.

Read more at: salisburyjournal.co.uk
]]> Sun, 05 Feb 2012 18:20:00 +0000 http://www.pollentree.com/ivf/news/ivf-news/chantelle-houghton-miracle-pregnancy http://www.pollentree.com/ivf/news/ivf-news/chantelle-houghton-miracle-pregnancy
The baby is being hailed as a "miracle" because the couple were supposed to be starting IVF treatment shortly.

Chantelle, 28, and Alex, 36, have been trying for a baby for two months, with the pair giving a number of interviews about IVF being their only option when it came to starting a family.

However, Chantelle discovered she was pregnant just before she was about to start the treatment.

Chantelle commented, “We were a week away from starting IVF. The thought of conceiving naturally had gone out of my mind completely – I didn’t even think it was possible. I had my fertility injections in the fridge.”

Read more at: mirror.co.uk]]> Tue, 07 Feb 2012 02:08:15 +0000 http://www.pollentree.com/ivf/news/ivf-news/ivf-clinic-admits-destroying-sperm http://www.pollentree.com/ivf/news/ivf-news/ivf-clinic-admits-destroying-sperm

Resignations
Two senior IVF Wales staff resigned after samples from three people who were patients between 1988 and 1998 were affected in March this year.


Not harmed
However Cardiff and Vale University Health Board said the ability of the patients to become parents was not harmed.


Improved procedures
The health board hosts the IVF Wales clinic and said it had learned lessons and was working to improve procedures. The Welsh government has urged the board to take urgent action.


HFEA report
The concerns were highlighted in a report by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA).


Two incidents
In the first case, a staff member was told to transfer samples, (including some from cancer patients) from old storage units to a new container. The member of staff found unlabelled straws at the bottom of a tank and disposed of them without telling anyone in charge.

In a second incident, donor sperm was given to some women before the test results had come back for sexually transmitted diseases. However, the report said the results had since proved negative.


Action aganist clinic
The HFEA said the matters were investigated and conditions were issued against the clinic's licence, reducing the number of cycles of treatment it can carry out.


Welsh government
The Welsh government said: "Whilst this is an operational matter for Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, we are concerned about the findings of the report. "We expect them to continue to take urgent action to address the areas highlighted."

Conservative health spokesman Darren Millar said: "This is another incredibly serious incident at the unit in question and it requires urgent answers, both from the health board and the minister. "It is deplorable that the full extent of this dreadful mistake is not yet known. "The impact on families will be enormous and it is only right that those affected are spoken to as soon as possible."

Read more at: bbc.co.uk/news
]]> Tue, 07 Feb 2012 04:26:37 +0000 http://www.pollentree.com/sperm-donation/news/sperm-donation-news/australian-sperm-donors-bid-to-be-on-birth-certificate http://www.pollentree.com/sperm-donation/news/sperm-donation-news/australian-sperm-donors-bid-to-be-on-birth-certificate

Sperm donor names
While donors have not been considered legal parents under state law since 1984, the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages currently has no provisions to record the names of sperm, egg or embryo donors.


Name removed from birth certificate
It follows on from the landmark case in August where a male sperm donor’s name was removed from his daughter’s birth certificate in preference for the mother’s female ex-partner, despite a close and long-term relationship with the child.


Same-sex laws
The judge in the case said although having “considerable sympathy” for the donor’s plight, a 2009 retrospective law in recognition of same-sex couples meant that the judge had to remove the man’s name.


Determined
The sperm donor (whose name cannot be published for legal reasons) has stated he is, “determined to do whatever is necessary” so that his name is also shown on his daughter’s birth certificate, in addition to the two mothers that she has.


Family law expert
Jenni Millbank, a leading family law expert, has advised for caution, stating that mandatory reporting of donor’s names on birth certificates could open up serious questions of privacy. “I think, for me, the real question is can we find a consensual and symbolic space on birth certificates to acknowledge genetic parents.”


LGBT community
Same-sex parent advocate Anthony Brien said that the inquiry provides an important chance for the LGBTIQ community to help create laws that will better suit their families while also perhaps providing better recognition of donors who have agreed to donate on the basis that they will be long-term parents. 

Read more at: gaynewsnetwork.com.au
]]> Sun, 05 Feb 2012 19:22:34 +0000