The firestorm of ethical discussion that has ensued in the media over the birth of the IVF octuplets has been interesting.

In his blog Secondhand Smoke Wesley Smith offers some interesting commentary regarding the public discussion of ethics this story has produced.

But when you think about it: How can there even be a question of laws and ramifications in this day and age? The door to realistic norms and binding ethical constraints has not just been unlocked over the last few decades, it has been torn off the hinges. In today’s world, doctors are becoming less professionals and more order taking technicians. Want an abortion? Take a number. Want assisted suicide? Take a number. Want to invest $500,000 into your face with cosmetic surgery? Take a number. You want your children genetically tested before deciding whether they are worth having? Take a number. Get pregnant with three IVF embryos and only want one, take a number to “selectively reduce” the two you don’t want so you can raise an only child. A single woman, without a job, who already has six kids and wants eight more? Take a number.

Associated Links:

Wesley Smith blog post

LA Times article