‘And this video demonstration, you feel, will replace the need for you to explain in person?’
‘Yes, Thaddeus.’
‘And will it be available in other languages?’
‘No more than I have been available in other languages.’
‘And any likely questions that might arise?’
‘Are unlikely to require my input, and in all cases can be answered by other team members. Will you allow me to show you the presentation before you offer any further critique?’
‘Indeed, Dr Matthews. I…’
The wide screen filled with a young infant lying in a cot, watching a mobile above its head, occasionally lifting a small, chubby arm in an attempt to touch one of the ducks orbiting to a version of Brahms’ lullaby pranged out by the combs of a musical box. The image faded to be replaced by the words:
PROGENTA
THE GIFT OF LIFE
which in turn faded to a group of people discussing something around a conference table and then to a laboratory where a white-coated man was inviting a grey-suited woman to observe something down the eyepiece of a microscope. Throughout this sequence a voiceover explained that the London-based Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority regulates assisted reproduction research and practice in the UK, and is responsible for granting licences for these activities. The commentary continued as the screen filled with footage of in vitro fertilisation and chromosome duplication in a dividing cell. It described the removal of embryo cells for the purposes of pre-implantation diagnosis and embryo selection. An animation of embryo development was then accompanied by a woman’s voice explaining that, whilst permitting embryo selection to prevent the implantation of abnormal embryos, the Embryo Authority does not licence the selection of embryos to satisfy social preferences. Prospective parents wishing to choose the gender of their child are denied this choice. The footage became that of a grateful couple with three sons holding a pink-wrapped newborn. This choice, the voice explained, is given to couples in some other countries, notably the United States, where parents may seek gender selection for no reason other than what is referred to as ‘family balancing’.
The screen filled with laboratory workers observing DNA printouts, the voiceover explaining that in the PROGENTA laboratories they use a range of techniques to eliminate abnormal embryos, but also in association with their laboratories in the Middle East, to guarantee required gender and to offer an advanced degree of gene editing. The woman went on to explain that the Authority also prohibits embryo splitting for the purposes of multiple implantation since this is regarded as human cloning. An animation demonstrated a single embryo giving rise to several pregnancies. The woman’s voice mellowed to explain that this prohibition was unfortunate, since early embryos can be safely divided to provide couples that have been able to produce only one viable embryo with more than one opportunity for pregnancy. This is indeed cloning, but cloning in much the same way as occurs in monozygotic twin births. Moreover, this prohibited cloning is associated with less risk since, with multiple implantations, each of the foetuses invariably has an individual placenta, thus eliminating any risk of compromised placental sharing.
The footage became that of egg harvesting, more fertilisation, and the plunging of embryos into a fuming canister for cryopreservation, explaining that, at PROGENTA, embryos are routinely selected, cloned, implanted or frozen for future implantation into the biological mother. When necessary, PROGENTA can provide gametes and healthy embryos donated by third and fourth parties. However – once again the voice mellowed – PROGENTA offers an additional service: the gestation of embryos by a carefully selected third party referred to as a surrogate. An animation presented a pregnant surrogate standing between sponsoring parents, and then the newly not-pregnant surrogate standing amongst her own three children, waving goodbye to the sponsoring parents and their newborn.
The surrogates, the voice explained, are provided with comprehensive antenatal care and are not usually recruited to provide surrogacy on more than one occasion. In most circumstances, to protect all parties, PROGENTA advises that the surrogate remains anonymous, although the parents are kept informed throughout the pregnancy. The surrogacies are managed according to legally valid contracts and appropriate certification is undertaken by PROGENTA, who will also arrange accommodation for couples wishing to take up residency in the UK for some or all of the gestational period. The screen filled with an image of a Georgian building in expansive grounds. The final footage showed nursing staff handing twin babies to a commissioning couple.
Thaddeus Jones allowed the promotion to come to an end then touched his fingers together.
‘Dr Matthews, there seems to be no mention of same-sex parenting by client couples, contracts for which contribute significantly to our commissioning base.’
‘There is an alternative presentation with same-sex parenting included. The sequence was omitted from the standard presentation since some clients, whilst happy to go against God’s plan with regard to conception, are antagonistic towards homosexuality, bisexuality and probably cross-dressing.’
‘Quite. Well, this has been most excellent, Dr Matthews. So very clearly explained.’ Thaddeus Jones pressed his fingertips hard against one another. ‘My only other critique might be that there is a tad too much technical jargon, which might be a problem for our non-English-speaking clients.’
‘My dear Mr Jones, my use of jargon will succeed in crushing any attempts by all our clients to comprehend the extent of our malpractice. Our non-English-speaking clients will have very little idea about any of the footage. But if you are dissatisfied with this effort on my part, I suggest you get my successor to provide an alternative.’
Thaddeus Jones’s fingers jolted between one another. ‘Your successor?’
‘Yes, Thaddeus, I have decided to choose this moment to retire from practice. I have two, possibly three, recommendations for team leader, which you might pursue. Which I suggest you do without further delay. I will see the current confinements through to their conclusion, but I will cease to initiate any further pregnancies.’
‘Last month’s fatality was unfortunate. I am assured it will not happen again. I…’
‘That may well be the case, but I have made my decision based on reasons other than that poor young woman’s fate. I will not be dissuaded.’