Nadia and her husband have been married for six years and together for ten, both wanting children but disagreeing on how to conceive them.
Nadia refuses to use her eggs due to family history of psychiatric disorders
Nadia insists on either adoption or using an egg donor because her family has multiple members with serious psychiatric illnesses including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression.
She believes she “lucked out in the genetic lottery” by not inheriting these conditions and is unwilling to risk passing them on to a child.
The husband wants a biological child using Nadia’s eggs and his sperm
He would like to have a child that is genetically related to both of them but acknowledges that mental illness can still occur through adoption or donor eggs.
Nadia maintains that using donor eggs or adopting removes the known risk associated with her genetic makeup, even though chance remains a factor in all paths to parenthood.
Slate’s advice column affirms Nadia’s position as reasonable
The Care and Feeding column states that Nadia’s desire to avoid using her eggs is entirely her choice and does not require justification.
While the husband’s wish for a biological child is understandable, the column concludes that Nadia’s stance is valid and must be respected.
Is it possible for a child to develop mental illness even with an egg donor or adoption?
Yes, the column notes that mental illness can still occur through donor eggs or adoption, as these paths do not eliminate genetic or environmental risks entirely.
Does Nadia need to provide a reason for not wanting to use her eggs?
No, the advice emphasizes that she does not need to justify her decision, as it is her right to control what happens with her own body and genetic material.