The Fasanos had earlier decided that if DNA testing did in fact establish that the Rogerses were the biological parents of one of their twin sons, then they would give the child to them. So, on May 10^th, 1999, in an event that was "very emotional, very strained, very difficult" (The New York Times May 29, 1999; B, 10), a custodial change was made – the Fasanos gave up one of their four-month-old babies to the Rogerses.

 The Fasanos have stated that they want the boys to grow up knowing each other as brothers; a visitation agreement reportedly has been worked out between the Fasanos and Rogerses.

Meanwhile, Dr. Michael Obasaju has admitted that he mistakenly put some of Mrs. Rogers’ embryos into a catheter he used during Mrs. Fasano’s embryo implantation procedure.
 

 Questions for Discussion:

• How did racial issues affect how this situation unfolded and was reported?
• Would the Fasanos’ decision have been different if DNA testing revealed that the Rogerses were the biological parents of both of the twins? How would the resolution be affected if there were only one child, and the Rogerses were its biological parents?

Back to Stage 1; Back to Stage 2

Comments, suggestions, or requests to ud-itue@udel.edu. "http://www.udel.edu/inst/problems/embryo/stage3.html" Last updated June 19, 1999. Copyright Deborah Allen, Valerie Hans, and Barbara Duch, Univ. of Delaware, 1999.