Unit XXXVI Controversial Issues

A. At 62, Patricia Rashbrook is so far the oldest woman in Britain to give birth. The healthy baby boy, nicknamed JJ, was conceived through IVF,* after several previously failed attempts. The treatment was carried out by Dr Antinori, an Italian doctor who runs a fertility clinic in Rome. The birth sparked controversy among those in the fertility profession and attracted media attention around the world. JJ was Ms Rashbrook's fourth child; the youngest of the other three was 18 when his new sibling was born. John Farrant, Ms Rashbrook's new husband, told the media that they were well able to meet the child's needs. The couple say that they are in good health, but in the event that they both meet an untimely death, friends have agreed to become surrogate parents.

В. We can divide opinion on this issue into two major camps. Those who are vehemently against older people giving birth say that the parents are only thinking of themselves. They believe that the child will be ashamed of having much older parents as he or she grows up. Furthermore, there is considerable likelihood that the child will be bereaved much sooner in life than is normal. Those in the other camp, however, point to the fact that many children are brought up by grandparents and benefit from this arrangement. Older parents can often offer the child greater financial security and constant devotion. Moreover, they argue that if the government ever started to impose legal restrictions on the types of people who could have children, there is no telling where those restrictions would end.

*IVF = In Vitro Fertilization: the medical process in which a woman's egg is fertilized outside the body and then put back inside to grow into a baby

Post-reading tasks

Paragraph A

Decide if the sentences are True (T), False (F), or if the information is Not Given (NG) in the text.

1. Ms Rashbrook became pregnant after one treatment of IVF.

2. Dr Antinori treated Ms Rashbrook in his clinic.

3. Ms Rashbrook wanted a child because her other children had left home.

4. Ms Rashbrook and her husband believe they will have a long life.

5. Ms Rashbrook and her husband have not decided what will happen to the child if they die.

Paragraph В

1. Which three reasons are given against older people having children?

1. the child's embarrassment

2. the child's potential health problems

3. the early death of the child's parents

4. the lack of energy the parents have

5. the money problems older people face

6. the selfishness of the parents

2. What point is being made in the final sentence?

1. It is difficult to say what the upper age limit should be for parenthood.

2. Many people could be affected if there was a law to stop people having children.

3. People should have the freedom to make their own decisions in life.

Unit XXXVII Head off for Your First Work Experience!

Looking for a useful and enjoyable way to try out your new degree or just putting off a nine-to-five job? Why not take a year out to think about it and sign up with VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas), an organization that sends volunteers to help out with community projects in Africa (Poverty Alleviation, Sustainable Livelihoods), Asia (Environment, Health and Education), and The Pacific (Rural Development and Empowering Women). If you are seeking adventure and want to do some good at the same time, working alongside an excellent team of like-minded people could be just the experience you are looking for. Both the work and the camaraderie can be extremely rewarding. Accommodation / flights / and visas are provided. Volunteers should be adaptable, open to new cultures and be prepared to work in basic conditions. For more information, come and see Steve Dunn in the Student Union from 9am-12pm Mon-Thurs.