Here is the story and the link.
$5,000+ Up For Grabs: Competition Explores Embryo Donation & Adoption Law
FULLERTON, Calif., Sep 30, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Law students nation-wide are being challenged to participate in a writing competition as a way to create a greater interest in the field of Assisted Reproduction Technology Law -- and earn some extra cash to help offset their tuition.
The second-annual essay contest is being organized by Nightlight(R) as part of its Embryo Donation and Adoption Awareness Campaign. Nightlight provides adoption services through the Snowflakes(R) Frozen Embryo Adoption program (Snowflakes). Snowflakes started in 1997 as the only organization of its kind to facilitate the donation and adoption of frozen embryos for family building.
"We need a national discussion on how to handle the numerous possible legal challenges facing embryo donation and adoption," said Ronald Stoddart, Executive Director of Nightlight. "The contest offers a great way to stir the debate and hopefully grow an interest among future lawyers to make this area of Assisted Reproduction Technology Law part of their practice."
Interested law students can preview the essay topic and register for the competition at www.EmbryoLaw.org. The first place award is $2,500, second place is $1,500 and third place is $1,000. As an added incentive, applicants who submit their essays one month prior to the deadline will be eligible for a $500 bonus should their writing score as one of the top three essays.
The competition is open to law students currently enrolled in an ABA accredited law school. Submissions must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. PST on March 2, 2009 or by 5:00 p.m. PST Monday, February 2, 2009 to be eligible for the above mentioned cash bonus.
Additional information about the issue of embryo donation and adoption can be found at www.EmbryoAdoption.org.
This Essay Competition is conducted by Nightlight Christian Adoptions and supported by grant number 5 EAAPA941000-04-00 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Department.
SOURCE: Nightlight Christian Adoptions
1 comment:
While I admit there are flaws with anonymous embryo donation and clinic programs, and maybe with IVF laws that allowed these embryos to be created in the first place, there is nothing crooked about Embryo Adoptions facilitated through Nightlight. The adoptive couple goes through a rigorous screening, homestudy and adoption education class. This process screens for a variety of things, including marital stability and longevity.
The Genetic Parents hand select the adopting couple and all adoptions through Nightlight's Embryo Program are open. Embryos are specifically placed by Genetic Parents, so there is no chance of Embryos "accidentally" being placed instead of destroyed. Documents pertaining to the relinquishment and acceptance of the Embryos are signed and notarized by both members of both marriages, eliminating the possibility of one spouse being surprised.
Systems exist to provide support to both families, as well as the children born from this arrangement. I can tell you from personal experience that Nightlight conducts the entire process with integrity and with the children's best interests at heart.
I would love to see this process of Embryo Adoption/Placement receive more attention, in part to highlight it as a better alternative to the programs that are more flawed and create scenarios like you've described.
Jennifer
Snowflake Mommy
Post a Comment