So I thought I would take this opportunity to describe a bit more about the application itself. It's a very odd thing to compose. In a way, it's like a combination of any standard social networking site profile (basic personal info, favorites), a personal ad (physical appearance, how you spend your time), and resume (education background, employment history, career goals). Just like with the last two examples, you are essentially 'selling' yourself in the same way you would to a potential date or employer - in that you want to make yourself as appealing as possible while still being honest. There's also an element of college application to it with the short essay portions, like this:
(Click for larger.)Those are my answers - don't steal 'em! ;)
There's also a "For Fun" section that is, as I said, a lot like a Facebook profile - favorite movies, favorite music, etc. They even had the ol' standby question, "If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?" (I chose a fennec fox because they're AWESOME. Only I said it much more eloquently, of course.)
The medical history section can be a bit daunting. There is a huge list of conditions, and you have to identify who in your family has/has had them and give details, like so:
(Click for larger.)It's a lot to get through, so be prepared! But have fun with it, too. Well, where appropriate. So, y'know, not in the medical section.
3 comments:
Wow, that's a LOT of detail. I remember when I was looking into it years ago, and they wanted to know the donor's religious beliefs. I remember being a little put off by that, wondering how that could possibly be pertinent information, or something that could potentially rule me out. As if what I believe in is going to have any effect on how the kid turns out.
"Oh, it says here she's a liberal Christian? No, that won't do. We need good Republican eggs for our baby." Do people get that specific? Do they think it makes a difference?
Even asking about your hobbies is kinda weird when you think about it. Knowing that you're big on music doesn't mean the kid would be. Medical history is obviously important, but "getting to know your donor" through these kinds of personal ads just hits me as curious.
Doesn't it get in the way of the anonymity thing? It makes you an actual person to the recipients, as opposed to this being just "their" child. Not that I think they'll ever forget the part you played, or would want to.
It's just such a weird concept to me, and I'm wholly fascinated by it! Fingers crossed for you!
Y'know, I totally see where you're coming from. It IS odd. The weird part with this app, though, is that, shockingly, there was NOTHING about religion anywhere. Interesting, right?
I'd been searching the gigs section of Craigslist just the other night, and I saw a $20k+ offer to a Jewish egg donor. WHOA!
As for the rest... it is weird/silly. But I kinda see the point. I mean, if it were me, and I had the option of choosing an egg from someone who describes herself as athletic and strong in math and science... versus someone who describes herself as creative and strong in music and languages... I would probably choose the latter because that is more like me. And while nature vs. nurture obviously is huge, it would probably still be kind of... reassuring? or something, to know that I had certain things in common with my donor. Shmeh!
Yeah, I get it, it just kinda raises an eyebrow. Or both, in my case, since I've never been able to raise just one.
HEY! There's something! Were there any questions about those types of genetics? Like, can you roll your tongue, do you have free earlobes, is your second toe longer than your first? Cause I know those are hereditary traits, do they ask as specific as that?
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