A New York judge has ruled in favor of two parents in West Point who want to use their deceased son’ preserved sperm for “procreative purposes”.
The parents’ 21-year-old cadet son Peter Zhu died following a skiing accident in February. Zhu was declared brain-dead Feb. 27, four days after the skiing incident at the Victor Constant Ski Area near the West Point military academy. However, prior to his death, Zhu’s parents had obtained an order to preserve his sperm while he was on life support to allow the harvesting of his organs for donation.
According to the Associated Press and NBC, Judge John Colangelo of Westchester County ruled last week that he would place no restrictions on use of the sperm by the parents. Zhu’s parents said in court papers that their son had dreamed of having five children.
“We are desperate to have a small piece of Peter that might live on and continue to spread the joy and happiness that Peter bought to all of our lives,” their legal filing said.
Zhu’s military adviser at West Point also testified that Zhu wanted several children. The military adviser said Zhu had stated this goal during mentoring sessions, Associated Press reports.
