So today we hear that 69-year-old Maria del Carmen Bousada, the oldest woman in the world to give birth, has died.
Back in 2006, Maria made headlines when she delivered twin baby boys at age 66. Apparently Bousada went to a fertility clinic and lied about her age...saying she was 55...in order to qualify for the fertility treatments. The news of the twins' births started up the controversy about older women and fertility treatments.
Well today we hear that Maria has sadly passed away after battling cancer. Her twin boys are now 2 years old, and will apparently be raised by family members, specifically a nephew of Bousada's.
So are fertility clinics too irresponsible? I mean, even though Bousada lied about her age, still should clinics be providing fertility treatments to women that are in their 50's? Or is it not up to doctors tpo determine whena woman is too old to conceive?
What about Nadya Sukeman and the IVF treatments she received even though she had six childeren already?
It is a fine line, that is certain. I am not sure that I would want someone else deciding if I could or could not get pregnant. But at the same time, responsible choices need to be made by doctors as well as patients.
So how do we, or should we, draw the line?