Lesbians: "We Made Our Baby Deaf On Purpose"

This Is London ^ | 4/8/08 | James Langton

[The Giant Apricots]

Lesbians: We made our baby deaf on purpose by James Langton in New York A deaf lesbian couple have admitted deliberately creating what are believed to be the world's first designer handicapped babies. The two women tracked down a deaf sperm donor to ensure that their daughter, who is now five, would inherit the same inherited hearing disabilty that they both share. The couple were so pleased with the result that they have just had a second child, called Gauvin, using the same technique. Doctors who examined the boy say he is completely deaf in one ear and has only partial hearing in the other. In an interview with the Washington Post, the women - Sharon Duchesneau, who gave birth, and Candace McCullough, her lesbian lover - say that they believe deafness is "an identity not a medical affliction that needs to be fixed". They were so desperate to have children who share their handicap that the women asked their local sperm bank to provide a deaf donor, but were told congential hearing loss immediately disqualifies candidates. Instead they turned to a deaf male friend for help, producing what they call their first "perfect baby" - their five-year-old daughter Jehanne. Before their son was born, the women said: "A hearing baby would be a blessing; a deaf baby would be a special blessing.'' Both women, who are in their mid thirties, belong to a radical school of thought that believes deafness is a "cultural identity" not a handicap. They want their children to share the same "experiences" including learning, sign language and going to special schools for the deaf. They also consulted a "genetic counsellor" before getting pregnant who told them that with Miss Duchesneau's background, that includes four generations of deafness on her mother's side, any child conceived with a deaf sperm donor would have a 50 per cent chance of having the same handicap. After their daughter's first hearing test, the couple wrote happily in her baby book: "Oct 11, 1996 - no response at 95 decibels - DEAF!'' Their daughter attends a special kindergarten for children with hearing problems. After tests on their baby son showed he also had severe problems, they decided against giving him a deaf aid in the one ear that still has some hearing, saying they will leave the decision to him when he is older. The couple's behaviour has appalled children's rights groups in the United States. The conservative Family Research Council said their decision to "intentionally give a child a disability" was "incredibly selfish". The council's spokesman, Fred Connor, said: "These women are taking the idea of creating so-called designer babies to a horrible new level.''

[ambrose]

Surely, this must be an "Onion" story...

[tomakaze]

RE:Surely, this must be an "Onion" story...
 
One would think...

[Keith in Iowa]

It's like deja view all over again...

Lesbians: We Made Our Baby Deaf on Purpose [we've reached the bottom of the slippery slope]
			This Is London ^ | 4-8-2002 | James Langton Posted by Notwithstanding Apr 8 9:29 PM with 102 comments   Lesbians: We made our baby deaf on purposeby James Langton in New YorkA deaf lesbian couple have admitted deliberately creating what are believed to be the world's first designer handicapped babies. The two women tracked down a deaf sperm donor to ensure that their daughter, who is now five, would inherit the same inherited hearing disabilty that they both share. The couple were so pleased with the result that they have just had a second child, called Gauvin, using the same technique. Doctors who examined the boy say he is completely deaf in one ear and has only...
Lesbian couple have deaf baby by choice
			Guardian/UK ^ | 4/08/02 | David Teather in New York Posted by kattracks Apr 8 3:48 PM with 23 comments A lesbian couple in the US have attracted fierce criticism by deliberately having a deaf baby. In an unexpected twist to the pursuit of "designer" offspring, the couple, who are both deaf, said they had wanted a child that would be like themselves. The four-month old boy is profoundly deaf in his left ear and has only residual hearing in his right. Sharon Duchesneau and Candy McCullough, both in their 30s, turned to a friend with five generations of deafness in his family after being turned away by a sperm bank which told them that donors with disabilities were screened...

[HiTech RedNeck]

Cacogenics.

[Consort]

...they have just had a second child, called Gauvin...

G a u v i n ? The child is called Gauvin, but what is the child's name? Or, what is the child's name called? Is this some kind of Lewis Carrol puzzle?

[GeronL]

There is a good chance they will do everything they can to make them gay too

[martin_fierro]

I wonder what self-styled "child advocates" like Senator HilLIARy think of cases like this?

I imagine she's torn: One the one hand, the child has a good future case for physical abuse against her "parents." On the other hand, the defendants -- like HilLIARy -- are kindred lesbians.

[Libertina]

These two women are selfish beyond comprehension. It is all about them - not their child. What kind of "parents" would not want BETTER for their children? Sick and morally bankrupt human beings. IMHO. And lesbian, too. How charming. /sarcasm

[Prodigal Daughter]

I thought it was probably a joke too. But I should have known better.

[martin_fierro]

My wife and I have been accused of being "selfish" for choosing not to have children. But I think these sick dykes are the selfish ones.

[Dimensio]

There is a good chance they will do everything they can to make them gay too

Normally I'd argue with a statement like this, but I wouldn't put it past the couple in question.

[joeyman]

My wife and I have been accused of being "selfish" for choosing not to have children.

You will regret that decision in your later years. I've seen many childless by choice couples and there is a certain missing element to their life - family.

[martin_fierro]

I wouldn't bank on it if I were you.

In the off-chance that you turn out to have CLUE ONE about what you're talking about, we can always adopt. Plenty of unwanted kids around.

[Calculus_of_Consent]

Well homosexuality is not abnormal. So say the psychiatrists.

Perhaps we could "cure" all sorts of birth defects if we could just get doctors to say they are normal.

[Salman]

They couldn't adopt? Deaf children are "hard to place" as they say. I know a (straight) deaf couple who wanted a deaf child. They didn't think they could handle a hearing one. Having their own wasn't an option, because the child might not be deaf. So they adopted an deaf orphan.

Admirable, I'd say. Unlike these self-centered lesbians.

[2sheep]

Uh huh.  If the Lord walked by and said, "Wilt thou be made whole?" they would say, "No."