Simon : Trailblazer: Patti Farrant

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Simon

Trailblazer: Patti Farrant

I'm a bit late with this one (hey, I was upgrading the site, not sitting on my ass), but I wanted to pay a quick tribute to the UK's oldest mum: Patti Farrant.

For those who don't know, Farrant is a 62-year-old woman who just gave birth to a son after getting fertility treatment in Italy. She has sparked much controversy over the move, with many detractors criticizing her for being selfish.

I just wanted to salute Farrant for being a trailblazer in two ways.

First, her experience shows that increasingly, age is nothing but a number. While women's fertility--and to a lesser extent men's--is affected by age, Farrant shows that technology is helping to push back the horizon. It's become common for people to call 40 the new 30, and 30 the new 20. Farrant's pushing those boundaries further, making 62 the new, well, 42.

The second way Farrant is being a trailblazer for the transhumanist crowd is in underscoring that biology isn't destiny. I'm convinced that part of the firestorm around her decision is that it undercuts arguments some might make for keeping women barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen. If women can have babies at 62, then they don't have to sacrifice careers for kids. For such reasons, feminists should hail Farrant as a hero.

So Patti Farrant, I salute you. May you and your family live long and well, putting all your detractors to shame.

Published Sunday, July 23, 2006 10:57 PM by Simon

Tags: Trailblazers, Pregnancy, Assisted reproduction, Patti Farrant

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	EschewObfuscation wrote on July 24, 2006 2:15 AM I've got to wonder how the kid will fare with a mother whose life expectancy ranges into the kid's teens or early twenties.
	Mr. Farlops wrote on July 24, 2006 3:18 AM From what I've read, she's a psychiatrist and she's married to another professional with a middle class income. I assume they've made plans for younger guardians in case either one croaks before the kid reaches majority. I'm pretty sure it will be very strange for the kid as he grows up but, on the other hand, Patti Farrant isn't the first to do this. Adriana Iliescu, 66, became the world's oldest mother just last year through similar treatments. Is this the first trickle before the dam breaks? Some of the press has voiced concerns over criminal involvement in egg donation from poor, poorly regulated, countries but, like gene doping of athletes, it's very hard to imagine how they'll police this. Maybe they should just legalize it and get it all out in the open. Ms. and Mr. Farrant are going to take a lot of heat for this but maybe in some ways it's good. It will get everyone thinking about and questioning the limitations of age. I think that will do our cause more good than harm in the long run.
	Mr. Farlops wrote on July 24, 2006 3:19 AM And just another comment to add a ranking to this post. (Sorry. I keep forgetting.)
	GrimJim wrote on July 26, 2006 11:41 PM I'd note that she has an expected life expectancy to share with the child not far from historical levels when the typical lifespan was in the ballpark of 40.

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About Simon

I aim to understand, apply and develop science, technology and communications to achieve positive change. To this end, I am the owner and operator of Betterhumans, which I founded in 2002. I also work in interactive healthcare marketing, helping pharmaceutical and other healthcare organizations effectively use interactive technologies. Currently, I'm also working part-time on a masters degree at the University of Toronto in the history and philosophy of science and technology.