“What?” Tina was angry and incredulous. This was the United States. 

“Even if you violate this condition in the future there will be no proof of your claim. This type of research and this procedure is illegal in the US. Stem cell research, which this is a form of, is illegal except under very specific circumstances.  They would take your child.”

“That’s not going to happen.” Bette said calmly, the steel flashed briefly.  “No one will take our child.”  She reached for Tina’s hand the memories of their custody battles however painful could not compare to the specter of battling the US government.

Tina calmed down as she sensed her alpha female rise to the challenge. She waited to see where Bette would take them.

“Let me see if I understand the basics of what this study is about.” Bette began conversationally.  “The procedure itself is no different than the one used when I carried Rosanna’s child.” She felt Tina stiffen imperceptibly.  “Theoretically, an egg is extracted, fertilized and then introduced into a uterus right?”

“Right.”  Dr. Wilson answered carefully.

“The sperm itself does not have to be identified it just needs to be screened for viability and then used to fertilize the egg. So if Tina and I were to find a donor you would screen the sample as you did in the past and then fertilize the egg no other questions asked?” Bette paused to ensure that they were all on the same page. Tina and Dr. Wilson’s eyes met as they both understood Bette’s thinking. “So’ she continued "if we were to bring you a donor’s sperm there would be no record of the donor and the insemination would be classified as any other invitro procedure. The only person who could challenge us at any time then would be the sperm donor, right?” 

“Right.”  Dr. Wilson smiled broadly. “Along those same lines it would be advisable to determine the quality of the eggs as well as the sperm counts of the potential donors." Warming to the brilliance of the questions she volunteered in an equally causal tone more information. "In this study the prospective participants would have that kind of work up to determine if they were viable candidates before committing to anything further.  They would only have to submit samples for evaluation. If they are determined to be candidates then formal enrollment would take place if they wished to pursue fertilization and insemination.”

“Is there any identification of the subjects needed for this evaluation?” Bette aske, both.

“Not in the evaluation of suitability stage no. Would you and Tina like to be evaluated?”

Bette turned to Tina a question in her eyes. 

“Most definitely.” Tina replied to both Bette and Dr. Wilson.

Two days later they were in the same position in Dr. Wilson’s office the results of the preliminary evaluations were ready.

“The egg samples were unremarkable.” Dr. Wilson told them clinically. “There is no preference for host eggs.  Both sperm samples are viable as well however the sperm count for specimen T is remarkably higher and more active.” Dr. Wilson concluded with a smile. “You are good candidates for the study, however should you decide not to proceed the product of the evaluations both eggs and sperm are yours to do with as you wish.  I can forward them to your gynecologist at your request.”