While this is big news for medicine, I can’t help but feel like the efforts could have been better spent elsewhere. This was in Alabama, so this patient would’ve spent tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars for this elective transplant, post-op care, anti-rejection meds, pregnancy care, etc… When there are thousands of kids in the foster care system that need a home.
Sure, there is the “it’s not the same” argument, but again that’s largely a selfish viewpoint. And going through such lengths to bring a baby to term can only be seen as narcissistic once you remove the “aww how sweet” aspect. I know it’s jaded, but all I can think about is how much more good that money and effort could have done if it was put towards fostering/adoption instead.
You can make the same argument in the event of bring any child into this world. Does the world need more children? Is the human race on the verge of collapse? No, infitate growth isn't sustainable.
But the argument of "money better spent on other stuff" is hard to actually enforce. I've seen arguments against advancing in space travel because of coastline marshlands being eroded, and how important that is.
I think the take away is, what's important to one person, is hardly ever important to another person. In this instance, the lady really wanted to have a child of her own to experience that. But bring any child into this world on purpose is always an act of selfishness.
While I somewhat agree with the "adopt, don't shop (or, in this case, make your own)" mindset, a parent who goes through such hardship to be able to give birth is more likely to do a better job at raising their child(ren). Plus, this could eventually make transwomen able to carry their own children – and yes, I know that's a giant leap, but it just might become possible. I'm not one to prevent people who've already endured hardship to lose whatever hope they can have to fulfill their dreams. I can only decide reproduction is not for me and continue making attempts at saving the planet for future generations, no matter how little or useless they might seem.