Ovarian Tissue Transplant

[Nun_ofthe_Above]

I posted a question of Ask An Apologist today and appreciate it could be some day before I get a reply…if at all…so I decided to ask the good people of this forum for help in the interim…
Recently I posted (accidentally in the wrong room) about Egg Donation for an infertile cousin, whom I have just been reunited with and who is the last of her line.
The responses left me in no doubt that the Church would not approve this, so have since been exploring other options for her.
**Yesterday I stumbled across some information about Ovarian Tissue Transplants. Now whilst this is a relatively new procedure… it looks like it may be acceptable to the Church. **
Whilst recommended for those who may be about to embark on medical treatment which may make a woman infertile, or on identical twins, whose genetic make-up reduces the possibility of rejection by the recipient, it looks like it would be like any other transplant, in that you take the gamble that it might work, as opposed to the negative assumption that it won’t work.
Being first cousins, we are closely related and share DNA, which would be a bonus. Now the crux of the matter is; would the Church approve this? The tissue may come from someone else, but it is transplanted onto the mother’s tissue…the mother produces the eggs, which would contain her DNA, thus allowing a couple to conceive a child under the usual circumstances; therefore, a baby born of this union, would be their biological child.
This procedure seems to conform sufficiently with Church teaching, but just want to make sure.
Thank you all for any advice / information.

Peace and love to all

 

[Katie1723]

I am not sure what the Church would say, but I think it’s wonderful what you are doing.
~ Kathy ~

 

[Nun_ofthe_Above]

Katie1723:

I am not sure what the Church would say, but I think it’s wonderful what you are doing.
~ Kathy ~

Thank you Kathy for your kind words; I appreciate them greatly. I just hope the Church views it this way, also.

Peace to you and those whom you love.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

While the Church approves organ donation, under various constraints, it strictly forbids the donation or transplanting of brain or gonad tissue. These are considered specific to the individual and may not be shared.

I don’t have a specific reference for this, but it is stated in many transplant discussions.

 

[Nun_ofthe_Above]

**Thanks Joe, for your (name removed by moderator)ut. With your comments in mind, I will be very interested to see which way the Church goes. I don’t see that taking a small amount of ovarian tissue is going to impare either the giver or the receiver in any way, in this situation, as it isn’t like the whole organ is going to be removed…I will of course bow to the Church’s teaching, but I think I would have a hard time understanding Her rejection of OTT, as it really doesn’t impare a couple producing a biological child of their own; The children born of this kind of situation are indeed very special gifts from God! **

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Peace and love

 

[I_A]

I am defiantly not a scholar on theology or morals, so I can only offer my thoughts on the issue. I don’t know how they align with the truth. Please correct me if I am wrong.

I would think the main issue of transplanting organs dealing with reproduction and your brain would have to deal with part of what it physically means to be human, to have your own brain, not some else’s, and to reproduce your own offspring, not someone else’s. I don’t know, both of those seem very unique and yours alone. As to that type of transplantation as you described it, it seems that it would be enabling the natural process that was supposed to take place, of her producing her own offspring from her own body. Unfortunately I have no clue how mitochondrial DNA would factor into it though, since you don’t inherit it from both of your parents, rather just your mother. You should probably ask a priest or theologian with experience and insight into the topic.

Now if she is unable to conceive that must be a heavy cross, but God does not allow us to be burdened with what will not work out to her sanctification and His greater glory if she cooperates. Many people that can not have kids have the opportunity to serve more in the parish and community, to adopt, to become deacons, and so on. For many what seems like a curse may become a blessing. However from my perspective of not having dealt with anything like this my words may sound a little hollow.

But never forget God works miracles; look at Sarah and Martha.

 

[Nun_ofthe_Above]

HI I_A

Thank you for your thoughtful reply; and I apolgise for not getting back to you sooner…I have not been on this site for several days…
From what I read, it seems the DNA should be that of the woman carrying the child, but I am not 100% certain of this…the child may inherit some of the tissue donor’s DNA, but in this instance, that would more than likely be me, and we are first cousins, so the child would get alot of the same DNA.
I have yet to discuss this with my cousin, as I really would love to know the Church position on this. ‘Ask An Apologist’ strikes again, and has not answered my question, so I guess I should try and hunt my Priest down and ask his thoughts on the subject.
Thank you to those of you who replied…I am grateful for your time, t****houghts and encouragement…whatever the outcome… All good things come to those who wait…
May God bless and keep you all safe and well.
Much love and peace to all.