IVF is an abbreviation for in vitro fertilization, this is a medical procedure where an egg is fertilized outside the body, and then placed inside the mothers body for the extent of the pregnancy. IVF is often used by parents who are unable to conceive, however in the novel My Sister’s Keeper, IVF is used as a way to modify the genetic makeup of a child. When donating organs or any part of the body, it is required that the donor and the recipient have the same genetic makeup so that the transplant can be successful. In the novel, the Fitzgerald family is affected by the leukemia that their eldest daughter is fighting. The best way to fight off this rare disease is through transfusions and transplants. To complete these transplants, a perfect match was required. The Fitzgerald family was presented with two options, to place Kate on a transplant list and wait for a perfect match, or to genetically modify a child through IVF with the same genetic makeup as Kate. This is when Anna was welcomed into the family. When making the decision to genetically alter a child through IVF, morals become a large factor. Is it moral to genetically modify a child only for the benefit of someone else? There is a very fine line between whether or not IVF and genetic modification is moral. The use of IVF to conceive a child is often viewed as using science to great a miracle. When understanding IVF and genetic modification, it often comes down to how far is too far. Having the ability to genetically modify a child with down syndrome or another disability is viewed differently than genetically modifying a child to be more intelligent, or have blonde hair. For Sara and Brian, they chose with the help of medical professionals to genetically modify a child to be a donor for their daughter Kate. The whole purpose of this child was to save their other child. From the second Anna was born she began donating to Kate. Each donation helped Kate little by little but eventually led to the need for another. At the age of thirteen, Anna realized that her sole purpose since the day she was born has been to keep Kate alive. However, Anna was ready to live her own life. After countless donations, Kate was in need of a kidney, and Anna was the best option to be the donor. At this time however, Anna made the decision to fight for medical emancipation from her parents. Anna wanted the right to make her own decisions for her body. This decision was something that most people would consider unthinkable, and could tear her family apart and perhaps have fatal consequences for Kate. Gaining the courage to fight her parents in court for medical emancipation displayed Anna’s maturity and passion. Anna was willing to be a donor for Kate, but she wanted to be the one who made the decision to donate or not. Throughout the case, there were often many questions on whether or not it was morally right for Anna to be genetically modified to be a perfect match for Kate and if that was the sole purpose of using IVF to have a child. After a long emotional trial, Anna was granted medical emancipation from her parents. This gave her the freedom to make all of her own medical decisions. I personally believe that IVF is a miracle through science for couples with fertility issues that have a desire to have a child. Using IVF to genetically modify a child however, I feel is immoral. A child is conceived to live their own life, not to help another person live a life. The end of the novel, My Sister’s Keeper, shows how short life can truly be and how important it is to live it to the fullest everyday. Decisions are made daily and have different effects. Anna was fortunate to be born into a family that loved deeply, however, maybe a family can love too much, or is too much not enough.