FOR THE FUTURE: THE IRVINE FERTILITY SCANDAL

US, 1996, 86 minutes, Colour.
Marilu Henner, Linda Lavin, Randle Mell, Castulo Gwella.
Directed by David Jones.

For the Future: The Irvine Fertility Scandal is based on a true story, the fertility centre at the University of California's Irvine Campus. The scandal came to a head in 1995. This telemovie was made soon afterwards.

The focus is on the work of Dr Ricardo Asch, a Mexican doctor with unusual methods. A very dominating man, he was also importing illegal drugs from Latin America, selling them, with the profit developing fertility scams, especially the harvesting of eggs from unwitting women, desperate to go through his demanding procedures in order to become pregnant. The framework of the film is the senate hearing with the film giving the conclusions at the end, most of the protagonists protesting their innocence. However, legislation and control of the fertility industry was introduced in California.

The human focus is on Marilu Henner, a nurse with an adopted child with her husband, played by Randle Mell. Desperate, she goes to Irvine, while disliking Dr Asch and his personality, agrees to go through the procedures which almost kill her. While many eggs are harvested from her, quite illicitly, she actually becomes pregnant. However, in her speeches before the hearing, she makes desperate pleas for understanding, especially for fertilised eggs who become her children around the world about whom she has no knowledge and with whom no contact.

Linda Lavin plays Marilyn Killane, a worker in the Irvine campus who has strong moral stances, discovers the truth, is the whistleblower who brings this case to the attention of the senate. The film is a strong pro-life statement working within the area of what is referred to as the fertility industry and the range of in-vitro insemination and other procedures.

1. The film based on a true story, made so quickly after the judgments of the senate hearing? The impact of the film concerning mothers, pregnancy, exploitation, the fertility industry, abuses? The plea and the need for legislation and accountability?

2. The Californian settings, the atmosphere of authenticity, Debbie and her husband, their home? The hospital, the fertility centre? Audiences relating to this realism?

3. The senate hearing as the framework for the film, Debbie and her testimony, Marilyn Killane and her testimony? The president of the hearings, his questions, perceptions? The final judgments?

4. Debbie's story, the adopted child, her relationship with John? The desire to have another child, to become pregnant, their many attempts over many years? Her hearing about Irvine, making inquiries, forcing John to go, the interview with Dr Asch, his off-putting personality, John being hostile? Debbie and her continued contacts, the procedures, the medication? The effect on her health, Dr Asch and his continued interviews, Beth and her administration of Dr Asch's procedures? The continued hope, her illness nearly killing her, the harvesting of the eggs? Her becoming pregnant, giving birth? Her being horrified at learning the truth, her willingness to testify? John, his support, the death of his mother, his absence, his return, continued support of Debbie?
5. Marilyn Killane, her background, coming from New York to California, being asked to post parcels, the discussions with Beth, learning of the illicit drugs, Beth's not being a registered nurse? Her conscience, her testimony? Her support of Debbie and apology for not helping her during the troubles?

6. Dr Asch, his qualifications, background, the illicit drugs, the fertility industry, the harvesting of the eggs, the racket? His presence in court, lawyer advising him not to answer questions? Beth, the secure job, her lack of qualifications? The other staff, nursing and administrative?

7. The impact of this kind of dramatisation of the scandal, its impact for the movie-watching audience rather than making the points via documentary?