No Easy Choice: A Story of Disability, Parenthood, and Faith in an Age of Advanced Reproduction

by Ellen Painter Dollar

In No Easy Choice , Ellen Painter Dollar tells her gut-wrenching story of living with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI)a disabling genetic bone disorder that was passed down to her first childand deciding whether to conceive a second child who would not have OI using assisted reproduction. Her story brings to light the ethical dilemmas surrounding advanced reproductive technologies. What do procedures such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) and preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) say about how we define human worth? If we avoid such procedures, are we permitting the suffering of our children? How do we identify a "good life" in a consumer society that values appearance, success, health, and perfection?

Dollar considers multiple sides of the debate, refusing to accept the matter as simply black and white. Her book will help parents who want to understand and make good decisions about assisted reproduction, as well as those who support and counsel them, including pastors and medical professionals.

Genres: Nonfiction

210 pages, Paperback

First published November 7, 2011

About the author

Ellen Painter Dollar writes about faith, family, disability, and ethics, and is the author of No Easy Choice: A Story of Disability, Parenthood, and Faith in an Age of Advanced Reproduction (Westminster John Knox 2012). She blogs for Patheos (a web portal about religion and spirituality), and has written for the Huffington Post, Christianity Today, the American Medical Association, the Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) Foundation, and other organizations and publications. Dollar lives in West Hartford, Connecticut, with her family.

Reviews

[Ellen Dollar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is it acceptable to rate one's own book? I don't know. Did it anyway.

[Angela Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book I've ever read with both my heart and a highlighter. Both memoir and essay on the ethical questions surrounding advanced reproductive technologies. A story so thoughtful, so well researched, and at the same time so personal, so heartfelt, so courageous as Ellen shares her own experience living with OI (a disabling genetic bone disorder), raising a daughter with OI, with the calling--the knowing within--she had to have more children.

[Mary Caler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so glad this book exists. Ellen does a great job of asking the questions that need to be asked with regard to reproductive technology. Her questions are fair, balanced, and careful. She draws our attention to the fact that when and how we have children is not a morally neutral decision, yet she doesn't preach about the right answers or judge those who have made use of ethically complicated repro tech. Her questions, and at times criticisms, are given with grace and humility. The sincere empathy with those in the position of making hard choices is palpable and really draws the reader in.

Also, a very important note is that this book is so well written and clear. While the topic is heavy, the book reads very easily. I highly highly recommend that pastors and counselors read this book, in addition to those who are struggling with these issues themselves.

[JR Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book takes a complex, and often heartbreaking, question and makes it personal. The author doesn't come down heavily on one side or the other about whether it's right for Christians to use reproductive technology -- she just showed me the questions to be asking. Her own story is told bit by bit in every chapter as she takes up questions like, "Why don't you just adopt?" and "What happens to unused embryos?" This is a serious book, but not an intimidating one. I found it very accessible. Highly recommended.

[Sheri Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never read a book by someone facing such similar questions and decisions as myself and I found it relatable and refreshing. She does not offer hard and fast right vs. wrong answers. However, she does challenge some ways of thinking in the modern fertility landscape as well as ways church leaders and mentors have advised in such areas. It is not an argument about pro-life vs. pro-choice which is what we often try to boil down these questions to- simplistic and black and white. I know how I've come to view these things personally and certain parts made me feel affirmed in the ways that I've thought and felt about my own prospects. It is a pretty short and quick read that won't bog down your TBR list. Even if you don't face genetic or fertility issues personally, you probably know people who do or will and would also benefit from this read.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is pretty cool. I haven't read it, but Ellen is my mom and this book is about me.

[Pam Camel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. This was a very clear and well written book. The author looks at assisted reproduction in a non-biased, non-judgmental way. Ellen’s story is intertwined into the book. While she is asking serious questions and trying to see what is right for her she gives the reader a peek into her and her family’s lives.
She has the ability to ask the hard questions without preaching right or wrong. There is no black and white on the subject just a lot of grey and Ellen conveys that very well. How do we define human worth? If we use the process of assisted reproduction are we lowering people’s worth? This is more than just a story about ones journey into the realms of assisted reproduction but the story of parenthood, disabilities and life.

[Ashley]

Rec'd in this PCUSA news item: http://www.pcusa.org/news/2012/1/23/i...

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book on faith, ethics, and being human. A valuable read for anyone, not just just those facing choices about ART.

[Gael · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved hearing her story and she gave amazing thorough provoking comments and questions.