Please read:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4986804.stm
What does everyone think about this bloke - selfish or not?
Personally I'd much rather people adopted than went through all of this...
Let's have a lively debate about this bloke
Moderator: Moderators
-
marty
- Grecian
- Posts: 835
- Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2005 1:29 pm
- Real Name: Marty E
- Location: Buckinghamshire
Let's have a lively debate about this bloke
My therapist says I have a preoccupation with vengeance. We’ll see about that.
-
Great Plum
- Button Grecian
- Posts: 5282
- Joined: Wed Dec 15, 2004 10:59 am
- Real Name: Matt Holdsworth
- Location: Reigate
-
Euterpe13
- Button Grecian
- Posts: 1287
- Joined: Mon Feb 07, 2005 1:55 pm
- Real Name: Barbara Borgars
- Location: close de Saffend
This is a double-sided question
- on the one hand, it is certain that there are thousands of children, particularly in Eastern Europe, desperately in need of an adoptive home. He has the means to adopt several children - but would not perhaps have been able to choose age, genetic origin or physical status
- on the other hand, it is in human nature to want to prolong one's own genes : this is our claim to immortality, as we see ourselves reflected and reproduced in our offspring. He has, literally, gone shopping for his children, and doubtless chose the egg-doner for her physical appearance.
These children were planned and are cherished - an enviable situation. Should we criticise? I'm not sure that we have the right.
- on the one hand, it is certain that there are thousands of children, particularly in Eastern Europe, desperately in need of an adoptive home. He has the means to adopt several children - but would not perhaps have been able to choose age, genetic origin or physical status
- on the other hand, it is in human nature to want to prolong one's own genes : this is our claim to immortality, as we see ourselves reflected and reproduced in our offspring. He has, literally, gone shopping for his children, and doubtless chose the egg-doner for her physical appearance.
These children were planned and are cherished - an enviable situation. Should we criticise? I'm not sure that we have the right.
Hertford - 5s/2s - 63-70
" I wish I were what I was when I wanted to be what I am now..."
" I wish I were what I was when I wanted to be what I am now..."
-
DavebytheSea
- Forum Moderator
- Posts: 2034
- Joined: Tue Nov 23, 2004 10:33 am
- Real Name: David Eastburn
- Location: Nr Falmouth, Cornwall
There are children who have both parents and are well cared for and happy/well cared for and unhappy/unwanted and uncared for and unhappy.
There are children who have just one parent and are well cared for and happy/well cared for and unhappy/unwanted and uncared for and unhappy.
There are children who have neither parent and yet are well cared for and happy/well cared for and unhappy/unwanted and uncared for and unhappy.
Which all goes to show how we should never judge others by our own situation, morality or culture. The important thing for us as members of a much larger family (that of mankind - God's family for those of us that call ourselves Christian) to remember is that we have a duty and care for each other that is inalienable.
We may not understand each other, we may even feel at times that the actions of others are bad - sometimes very, very bad - but while we may judge the actions, I do not believe we should judge the man (or woman) who does these things. The fact is, that while we may rejoice in our own good fortune, we have absolutely no idea of what genetic or environmental factor or history lies behind their behaviour.
JR and I once had a very frank exchange of views on this topic; let's just say that we agreed to differ! He may well come in on this thread though.
There are children who have just one parent and are well cared for and happy/well cared for and unhappy/unwanted and uncared for and unhappy.
There are children who have neither parent and yet are well cared for and happy/well cared for and unhappy/unwanted and uncared for and unhappy.
Which all goes to show how we should never judge others by our own situation, morality or culture. The important thing for us as members of a much larger family (that of mankind - God's family for those of us that call ourselves Christian) to remember is that we have a duty and care for each other that is inalienable.
We may not understand each other, we may even feel at times that the actions of others are bad - sometimes very, very bad - but while we may judge the actions, I do not believe we should judge the man (or woman) who does these things. The fact is, that while we may rejoice in our own good fortune, we have absolutely no idea of what genetic or environmental factor or history lies behind their behaviour.
JR and I once had a very frank exchange of views on this topic; let's just say that we agreed to differ! He may well come in on this thread though.
David Eastburn (Prep B and Mid A 1947-55)
-
Great Plum
- Button Grecian
- Posts: 5282
- Joined: Wed Dec 15, 2004 10:59 am
- Real Name: Matt Holdsworth
- Location: Reigate
-
englishangel
- Forum Moderator
- Posts: 6956
- Joined: Mon Feb 07, 2005 12:22 pm
- Real Name: Mary Faulkner (Vincett)
- Location: Amersham, Buckinghamshire
I am not voting on this one because none of the answers reflect my views.
My problem with this is the the same as with the couple in their 60's who are having a baby.
When these children are in their teens their father will be over 70.
My parents have great trouble coping with overnight visits from their grandchildren when the parents are about let alone full-time care of three the same age.
My problem with this is the the same as with the couple in their 60's who are having a baby.
When these children are in their teens their father will be over 70.
My parents have great trouble coping with overnight visits from their grandchildren when the parents are about let alone full-time care of three the same age.
"If a man speaks, and there isn't a woman to hear him, is he still wrong?"
-
Mid A 15
- Button Grecian
- Posts: 3172
- Joined: Thu May 19, 2005 1:38 pm
- Real Name: Claude Rains
- Location: The Patio Of England (Kent)
I have to say that my personal instinct is to disapprove of men or women INTENTIONALLY seeking to have "designer" babies outside of marriage or at least a stable relationship, particularly when there are so many babies and young children up for adoption.
However in 21st Century society people scarcely bat an eyelid when affluent single women use the sevices of a sperm donor and have a child. If that is deemed acceptable behaviour then it is only fair and reasonable for single men to be able to do likewise.
I'm struggling to find a category on the poll to reflect my views though.
However in 21st Century society people scarcely bat an eyelid when affluent single women use the sevices of a sperm donor and have a child. If that is deemed acceptable behaviour then it is only fair and reasonable for single men to be able to do likewise.
I'm struggling to find a category on the poll to reflect my views though.
Ma A, Mid A 65 -72
-
J.R.
- Forum Moderator
- Posts: 15835
- Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2005 4:53 pm
- Real Name: John Rutley
- Location: Dorking, Surrey
Didn't any of you watch the programme last night ?
He came across to me as an egotistical, narrow minded masogonistic (sp?) control freak who just wanted everything his own way.
I also have to say that I have very serious doubts about his intentions for the three young boys !
He came across to me as an egotistical, narrow minded masogonistic (sp?) control freak who just wanted everything his own way.
I also have to say that I have very serious doubts about his intentions for the three young boys !
John Rutley. Prep B & Coleridge B. 1958-1963.
-
cj
- Button Grecian
- Posts: 1738
- Joined: Wed Mar 01, 2006 10:35 pm
- Real Name: Catherine Standing
- Location: Devon
Yes, we saw the programme last night. I particularly liked the discussion with his 5 year old boys about 'yobbos' and what they do (spit and say "poo", apparently) and the comment by the narrator about his father who had been "deteriorating since a car accident in 1944". However, regardless of your views on IVF/surrogacy/egg & sperm donation etc, Mr Mucklejohn did come across as a complete tosspot. I didn't feel inclined to share a cup of tea with the man, let alone bodily fluids or the bringing up of children. (I love the phrase 'bringing up children'. It sounds as if they are being regurgitated!)
Catherine Standing (Cooper) 
Canteen Cath 1.12 (1983-85) & Col A 20 (1985-90)
Any idiot can deal with a crisis. It takes a genius to cope with everyday life.
Canteen Cath 1.12 (1983-85) & Col A 20 (1985-90)
Any idiot can deal with a crisis. It takes a genius to cope with everyday life.
-
Hendrik
- Deputy Grecian
- Posts: 467
- Joined: Sun Nov 28, 2004 1:27 pm
- Real Name: No really, it is Hendrik.
- Location: Bad Ischl, Austria
- Contact:
errrm... if he had adopted, he would still be single....
so how is that better?
Confused, Austria.
and yes he does sound like a tosspot! which is a good choice of words considering he would have had to, errr, toss in a pot....
so how is that better?
Confused, Austria.
if you mean "woman-hating", i think it's got a 'y' in it.J.R. wrote:masogonistic (sp?)
and yes he does sound like a tosspot! which is a good choice of words considering he would have had to, errr, toss in a pot....
-
J.R.
- Forum Moderator
- Posts: 15835
- Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2005 4:53 pm
- Real Name: John Rutley
- Location: Dorking, Surrey
WHY ?Hendrik wrote:errrm... if he had adopted, he would still be single....
so how is that better?
Confused, Austria.
if you mean "woman-hating", i think it's got a 'y' in it.J.R. wrote:masogonistic (sp?)
and yes he does sound like a tosspot! which is a good choice of words considering he would have had to, errr, toss in a pot....
John Rutley. Prep B & Coleridge B. 1958-1963.
-
englishangel
- Forum Moderator
- Posts: 6956
- Joined: Mon Feb 07, 2005 12:22 pm
- Real Name: Mary Faulkner (Vincett)
- Location: Amersham, Buckinghamshire