Tag Archives: genetics

Made to Order Babies

Ever since the first “test tube” baby was born, I have long since struggled with the ethics of fertility treatments, and prenatal testing. I certainly don’t judge anyone who has gone through extensive lengths to have a child. But I’ve struggled with the idea of where it all ends. At what point have we breached ethical boundaries and simply crossed the line? Such is the question surrounding the idea that you can pick your child’s gender. Some say that it seems unethical–you should just take what you get and be happy. But other parents feel strongly that they want one … Continue reading →

The Relationship with a Child’s Birth Family

I really can’t speak for the majority of adoptive parents when it comes to relationships with a child’s birth family. Each adoption is so unique. When we adopted through our state, we’d assumed our adoptions would be closed. When we adopted our first son, our adoption was completely closed. We had quite a time searching for birth siblings as a result. Though we know where the birth parents are, for safety reasons we have not and will not pursue openness of any degree. Thankfully because of the information we have acquired more recently from his other birth family, any questions … Continue reading →

The Genetic Risks for Inheriting (or Passing Down) ADHD

Sometimes when a child is diagnosed with ADHD, the parent thinks, “I remember having similar problems in school,” or “My brother and I had the same behaviors when we were kids.” Often people don’t recognize their own symptoms of ADHD until their child is diagnosed. Yet statistics show that when a child is diagnosed with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) there is two to eight times increased risk that one of the parents also has the condition. Evidence has shown a strong genetic link indicating that ADHD is passed through families. Even though some environmental factors may play a minor role … Continue reading →

Defining Family

What is it that defines your family? Is your family defined by the people you’ve grown up with? Are they the one’s who’ve been there for you when you’ve needed them? I have chosen three main definitions of family to focus on: genetics, law and special relationship. When looking at family dynamics in adoption, we should know that people use any combination of these to base their perspective, some putting more priority on one over the other. Genetics: Being united by genes is one way people define family. Some people call this blood relation, or biologically related, and some call … Continue reading →

Attitudes Regarding State Adoptions: Part 1

The following is a list of attitudes and misconceptions people have about adoption usually prior to their placement. I don’t intend to discourage anyone, but it’s important for families to be realistic in expectation. Children aren’t puppies, they’re children! ~ There is nothing wrong with wanting to adopt and know you are giving your child a good home. It’s okay for you to feel good about what you’re doing. But if you’re going to have the attitude that you are “rescuing” this child, you are doing your family a great injustice. It gives implication to the child that they owe … Continue reading →

When Lightning Strikes… Twice

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They say lightning doesn’t strike twice in the same place. I don’t believe it. Saturday our family was struck for the second time…with Juvenile Diabetes. On our recent trip to California, I noticed my eleven-year-old son, Riley, kept asking to stop for the restroom. Once. Again. And again. A bit of fear shot down my back. It all felt so familiar… it had been a road trip eight years ago when my oldest son showed his first symptoms. Often times, it takes a long drive to really see how often your child is using the bathroom. I mean, once they’re … Continue reading →

What Genetic Factors May Cause Autism?

Even with a tremendous amount of study and research, we are still very much in the dark about what causes Autistic Spectrum Disorder in children. Clearly there are genetic factors involved in some cases. In my own family, I have noticed that a few of my other children exhibit mild autistic-like traits, barely noticeable, but curious still. Studies have shown that this can sometimes be the case, where siblings of autistic children will have small traces of the disorder. Often the parents, when studied, also have mildly autistic behaviors. (Who me?) A Flawed Gene? A gene involved in the production … Continue reading →