Parents of Adopted Frozen Embryos Speak Out

By Dave Andrusko

While it may not seem possible at this late stage, there is one quiet dimension of the loud debate over embryonic stem cell research that has gone virtually unheard.

Proponents argue that embryos created at infertility clinics but not implanted are nothing more than "spares," mere cells which have no moral status. The only "respect" they should be extended, proponents argue, comes when their stem cells are lethally extracted and used for experimentation in search of cures for various diseases.

But, in fact, slowly but surely there has developed a more generous response to these nascent human beings. It's called embryo adoption.

Embryo adoption is largely the brainchild of the Snowflakes Human Embryo Adoption Program.

Two sets of parents who have adopted frozen embryos through the Snowflakes program, and their adopted children, will visit Washington July 16-17 to speak out against embryo-destructive stem cell research.

Marlene Strege of Falbrook, California, the mother of the first embryo adopted through the Snowflakes program, will appear before a U.S. House subcommittee with her adopted daughter Hannah, who is now 28 months old. (See photos, page 1 and 6.)

The Strege family will also be available to Washington journalists, as will John and Lucinda Borden of Fontana, California, and their twin sons, Luke and Mark, also adopted as frozen embryos through the Snowflakes program. The twins are now 9 months old. (See cover photo.)

Started in June 1997, the Program is run by Nightlight Christian Adoption Agency in Fullerton, California, headed by JoAnn Davidson. According to the New York Times, "While fertility clinics typically match embryo donors and recipients from within their own pool of patients, the Snowflakes program matches families across the country..."

The idea is simple but ingenious. Couples who have created embryos that they have not implanted are encouraged to donate them to another couple, typically one that has problems conceiving and/or carrying a baby to term.

JoAnn Davidson once told the Cincinnati Inquirer, "It's basically adoption nine months earlier."

The program received a huge boost in 1999 when Dr James Dobson promoted embryo adoption on his widely listened to radio program. Another boost came last April when a program about Snowflakes Human Embryo Adoption Program aired on Primetime.

The first successful embryo adoption resulting in a birth was in March 1998. Eight babies, including two sets of twins, have been born. Others are gestating in their adoptive mother's wombs.

If you would like to know more about the Snowflakes program call (714) 278-1020, e-mail info@Snowflakes.org or go to www.snowflakes.org.