I do grasp the distinction, Mick, but I don't see that the distinction has great significance. Potential, as I said, is the operational word. But be that as it may.

I think science fiction writer Larry Niven has a series of books out about an agent whose job it is to track down "organ-leggers;"   criminals who traffic in human organs. I'm not sure how far Niven takes it, but he raises a lot of interesting questions that we're only now having to start to face.

But let me ask you this:    what should be done with the unused fertilized eggs that no one wants? They can only be stored so long. Just let them deteriorate until they're no longer viable? Or toss them?

Don Firth