Transplants and Ethics

As parents of a 16 1/2-year-old son who died of acute myeloblastic leukemia in 1965, we rejoice for the Ayala family now and hope the bone marrow transplant of June 4 on 19-year-old Anissa is successful (Part A, June 5).

We wish conceiving one child to save another had been an option for us 26 years ago. Or that one of our three daughters had tissue that matched her brother’s type. But in that era before the procedure was perfected and used we could only stand by helplessly while cyclic chemotherapy, the only treatment available, failed to achieve a reprieve.

As for the “psychological impairment” which ethicists think a donor may experience later, whether the transplant is successful or not, let me say it couldn’t be worse than the way our family has suffered, not having the chance to do anything.

Regardless of the ultimate outcome for Anissa, the love bond created between 14-month-old Marissa and other members of the Ayala family will be stronger than any of us can imagine. Mary Ayala, the mother said, “If you love your child you will do anything to try to save her.” In this spirit how can there be controversy over the addition of the miracle baby to this family?

Passing judgment on such a personal decision is inappropriate, since no one can be absolutely sure which course will be followed until the problem is theirs.

DALIA KEYSER & DORIAN KEYSER, Tarzana