Parents, Not the Government, Should Make IVF Decisions

Published

1 year ago

February 29, 2024

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The sorry history of anti-miscegenation and forced sterilization laws in the U.S. provides ample evidence that preemptive government interference in the reproductive decisions of its citizens should be strongly rejected. In a free society, the default should be that individuals are best situated for weighing the costs and benefits, moral and material, with respect to how, when, with whom, and whether they choose to become parents.

The now infamous Alabama Supreme Court decision earlier this month essentially outlawing the use of in vitro fertilization (IVF) by would-be parents highlights the consequences of unwarranted government meddling in reproductive decisions all too well. At its most basic, IVF is a treatment for infertility involving the fertilization of eggs in a petri dish with the goal of installing them afterward in a woman’s womb where they have a chance to implant and hopefully develop into a healthy baby. Since the implantation of any specific embryo is far from guaranteed, IVF often involves creating several embryos that are stored in liquid nitrogen that could be made available for later attempts at achieving pregnancy.

Some 12 to 15 percent of couples in the U.S. experience infertility. Fortunately, since 1981 many infertile folks have been able to avail themselves of IVF and assisted reproduction techniques with the result that more than 1.2 million Americans have been born using it. Currently, about 2 percent of all babies in the U.S. are born through assisted reproduction. A 2023 Pew Research poll reported that “four-in-ten adults (42%) say they have used fertility treatments or personally know someone who has.” Given the wide public acceptance and ubiquity of IVF, it is no surprise that a new Axios/Ipsos poll finds that two-thirds of Americans oppose the Alabama court ruling that frozen IVF embryos are the equivalent of born children.

The moral intuition that embryos are not people implied by these poll results reflects what research has revealed about the fraught and complex biology of uterine implantation and pregnancy. In both IVF and natural conception most embryos will not become babies. Research estimates that between 50 to 70 percent of naturally conceived embryos do not make it past the first trimester. In other words, one foreseen consequence of conception through sexual intercourse is the likely loss of numerous embryos.

In his 2012 Journal of Medical Ethics article, University of Illinois Chicago philosopher Timothy Murphy argued that the moral good of the birth of a child counterbalances the unwanted but nevertheless foreseen loss of other embryos in both natural and IVF conception. Again, polling suggests that most Americans endorse this moral reasoning.

In another 2012 article speculating on the metaphysical ramifications of endowing embryos with souls, Murphy basically recapitulates the line of reasoning in my 2004 article asking, “Is Heaven Populated Chiefly with the Souls of Embryos?” There I suggest that “perhaps 40 percent of all the residents of Heaven were never born, never developed brains, and never had thoughts, emotions, experiences, hopes, dreams, or desires.”

Murphy similarly concludes, “Since more human zygotes and embryos are lost than survive to birth, conferral of personhood on them would meanfor those believing in personal immortalitythat these persons constitute the majority of people living immortally despite having had only the shortest of earthly lives.”

Metaphysical conjectures aside, former President Donald Trump clearly knows where most Americans stand on IVF. “We want to make it easier for mothers and fathers to have babies, not harder! That includes supporting the availability of fertility treatments like IVF in every State in America,” he posted on Truth Social. He’s right.

Now, the 124 denizens of the House of Representatives (all Republicans) who cosponsored just over a month ago the Life at Conception Act are scrambling to explain that, no, they did not really mean that every frozen IVF embryo is a “human person” entitled to the equal protection of the right to life. As a butt-covering move, Rep. Nancy Mace (RS.C.) is circulating a House resolution “expressing support for continued access to fertility care and assisted reproduction technology, such as in vitro fertilization.”

More substantially, Sen. Tammy Duckworth (DIll.) is pushing for the adoption of the Right to Build Families Act that states, “No State, or official or employee of a State acting in the scope of such appointment or employment, may prohibit or unreasonably limit…any individual from accessing assisted reproductive technology.”

Entertainment

Terence Stamp, Superman villain and star of The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, has died

Published

3 hours ago

August 17, 2025

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Terence Stamp, Superman villain and star of The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, has died

British actor Terence Stamp – who famously played General Zod in Superman and Superman II – has died at the age of 87.

The Oscar-nominated actor, who was born in London’s East End, also starred in hits such as Theorem, A Season in Hell, and The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.

He formed one of Britain’s most glamorous couples with Julie Christie, with whom he starred in “Far From the Madding Crowd” in 1967.

In a statement, his family said: “He leaves behind an extraordinary body of work, both as an actor and as a writer that will continue to touch and inspire people for years to come.”

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Environment

Mahindra reveals Batman BE 6 EV – and it’s kind of amazing

Published

4 hours ago

August 17, 2025

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Mahindra reveals Batman BE 6 EV – and it's kind of amazing

Mahindra Built A Batman SUV And Somehow It’s Completely Serious

Indian ag and automaker Mahindra has launched a limited-run Batman Edition of its BE 6 Electric Origin SUV, calling it, “a production car that brings to life a rare fusion of cinematic heritage and modern luxury, inspired by Christopher Nolan’s critically acclaimed The Dark Knight Trilogy from Warner Bros. Pictures.”

And, you guys – the new Mahindra BE 6 is. So. Serious.

Someone at Mahindra is very taken with American culture it seems. After launching the Willys MB Jeep-inspired Mahindra Roxor a few years ago, the company followed it up by building a credible line of EVs co-developed with VW. Now, they’re building a limited edition of one of those EVs inspired by another American cultural icon.

“Batman is more than a pop-culture icon — he represents innovation, resilience, and an unyielding drive to push boundaries,” says Vikram Sharma, Senior Vice President, Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products, APAC. “This collaboration brings that spirit to the road in a bold, electric way. With this limited-edition range, fans in India can now experience the thrill of Batman every time they drive. It’s a collector’s statement on wheels.”

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To separate the Batman Edition from the other Mahindra SUVs, its makers have festooned their EV with Dark Knight logos and branding, inside and out.

Batman Edition features

Exterior

Custom Satin Black Colour premieres on the Batman Edition
Custom Batman Decal on front doors
R20 alloy wheels for an aggressive, athletic stance
Alchemy Gold-painted suspension and brake callipers a bold, premium contrast to the Satin black body
“BE 6 × The Dark Knight”, limited edition, rear badging
The Bat emblem, as seen in The Dark Knight Trilogy, uniquely placed on:
Hub caps
Front quarter panels
Rear bumper
Windows & Rear Windshield
Infinity Roof featuring The Dark Knight Trilogy Bat emblem
Night Trail – Carpet lamps with The Dark Knight Trilogy Bat emblem logo projection
‘Batman Edition’ signature sticker on rear door cladding

Interior

Brushed Alchemy Gold Batman Edition plaque on the dashboard with numbering
Charcoal leather instrument panel (IP) with brushed gold halo around driver cockpit
Suede and leather upholstery with gold sepia accent stitching and integrated The Dark Knight Trilogy Bat emblem for a rich, tactile experience
Gold-accented steering wheel, In-Touch Controller, Electronic Parking Brake, custom key fob with Alchemy gold detailing
The Dark Knight Trilogy Bat emblem embossed on:
The “Boost” button
Seats
Interior labels
Pinstripe graphic and The Dark Knight Trilogy Bat Emblem across the passenger dashboard panel
Race car inspired open straps with Batman Edition Branding Batman Edition welcome animation on the infotainment display
Custom Batman inspired exterior engine sounds

Despite all the Batman branding, the end result is almost tasteful. I could do without the custom Batman decal on the front quarter panels, but the rest of the mods are far less offensive. I even like the little “Bat Signal” puddle lights on the wing mirrors.

Mahindra Batman BE 6

As a car, the special edition Batman Mahindra is based on the top-shelf version of the BE 6, fitted with a 79 kWh battery good for 550 km (about 340 miles) of range according to its WLTP rating. That battery sends power to a rear-mounted 282 hp (210 kW / 286 PS) electric motor generating and 380 Nm (about 280 lb-ft) of torque that sends power to the rear wheels.

The BE6 also features a modern Level 2 ADAS tech and screens everywhere, including in the steering wheel hub – which seems like it might get particularly nasty in an airbag deployment (but no one asked me).

Pricing starts at ₹27.79 lakh (a little under $27,500, as I type this), and production will be limited to just 300 units. Order books are set to open 23AUG.

SOURCE | IMAGES: Mahindra.

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Business

Miniature classic car-maker Hedley Studios revs up rescue deal

Published

5 hours ago

August 17, 2025

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Miniature classic car-maker Hedley Studios revs up rescue deal

A company which makes miniaturised electric versions of classic cars has secured a rescue deal led by an American merchant banking group.

Sky News understands that the future of Hedley Studios – formerly known as The Little Car Company – has been salvaged through a pre-pack administration deal.

FRP Advisory is understood to have acted as administrator before selling the business to an entity controlled by Island Capital Group.

Hedley Studios was founded in 2018, when luxury car-maker Bugatti approached Ben Hedley to see if he could recreate a 1920s Type 35 racing car at half-scale to mark its 110th anniversary.

In a statement issued in response to an enquiry from Sky News, the company said it had built and delivered more than 500 vehicles to clients in more than 60 countries in the last 17 months.

Hedley Studios manufactures its cars at three-quarters the size of the original model, with the resulting vehicles typically costing £75,000 or more.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Island Capital Group as a strategic partner in the next phase of Hedley Studios’ growth,” Mr Hedley said.

“Its investment and belief in our vision mark a pivotal moment for the company as we accelerate our expansion and reach new global audiences.

Hedley Studios makes its cars in partnership with a range of luxury manufacturers, including Aston Martin, Bentley and Ferrari.

Andrew Farkas, founder, chairman and CEO of Island Capital, which initially backed Hedley Studios in 2023, said: “This latest investment is testament to the entrepreneurial spirit of Ben and his team in building a successful British luxury brand in a short period of time.

“Automotive enthusiasts globally are increasingly keen to honour these historic icons, bringing them to new audiences in a new, fully electric way.

“Our broader investment marks the beginning of a new chapter for Hedley Studios, reinforcing its position as a leader in the creation of luxury, driveable artworks, and Island Capital is excited to be part of that growth journey.”