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Level 3 – Intermediate
Ageing Frenchwoman gives birth to baby boy
A 62 year-old woman called Jeanine from the South of France became the world’s third oldest known mother when she gave birth to a baby boy in May 2001. But what has really shocked public opinion is that her brother, Robert, is the child’s genetic father.
In France it is illegal for an elderly woman to receive fertility treatment. So Jeanine and her brother went to the US. She received treatment and an in vitro embryo at a private clinic in Los Angeles. The American egg donor and genetic mother of Jeanine’s baby also became the surrogate mother of another baby of whom Robert was the father. Both babies are back in France with their strange family.
The local prosecutor ordered an enquiry into the babies’ home life. He described the situation as ‘social incest’. The French Health Minister said that this birth was the result of uncontrollable deviations in medical practice. The doctors at the American clinic say that they believed that the couple were husband and wife. The two babies cost them $150000.
The elderly mother is surprised at all the fuss. She says that she and her 52 year-old brother are better parents than many young couples today. She told the press that she only did it to continue the family line.
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C2 Mastery
