Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Sofia Vergara's ex Nick Loeb writes open letter for the right to use frozen embryos against her wishes saying: 'Give them right to live'

The businessman and political hopeful put his argument forward in the New York Times

Helen Nianias
Thursday 30 April 2015 04:14 EDT
Comments
One-time couple Sofia Vergara and Nick Loeb photographed together in 2014
One-time couple Sofia Vergara and Nick Loeb photographed together in 2014 (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images )

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Sofia Vergara's eformer fiancé Nick Loeb has written an open letter arguing that two frozen embryos the couple created in 2013 should become children - even though she doesn't want this to happen.

Writing in the New York Times, Loeb argued that it was unfair to allow the two frozen embryos - created in 2013 - to be destroyed or go unused.

The couple broke up in 2014, and Modern Family actor Vergara is now going out with Magic Mike actor Joe Manganiello.

The contract that Vergara and Loeb signed said that the embryos could only be used with the consent of both parties. Loeb is trying to have the contract voided, as it did not specify what would happen if the couple separated.

It is his desire to win the right to have their children with a surrogate.

Loeb, who comes from a wealthy line of businessmen and has tried several times to launch a career as a Republican politician - further argues that this is an issue of morality.

"In my view, keeping them frozen forever is tantamount to killing them," he says.

"When we create embryos for the purpose of life, should we not define them as life, rather than as property? Does one person’s desire to avoid biological parenthood (free of any legal obligations) outweigh another’s religious beliefs in the sanctity of life and desire to be a parent?"

Defending his desire to create these specific children, he compared his campaign to the right of a woman to have a baby even if the father doesn't want the child. "A woman is entitled to bring a pregnancy to term even if the man objects. Shouldn’t a man who is willing to take on all parental responsibilities be similarly entitled to bring his embryos to term even if the woman objects?

"These are issues that, unlike abortion, have nothing to do with the rights over one’s own body, and everything to do with a parent’s right to protect the life of his or her unborn child."

Loeb launched his campaign earlier this month. Vergara's lawyer said at the time: "The claims made against Sofia Vergara by Nick Loeb are uncredible and hold no merit."

He added: "Vergara has never suggested that she wished to have the embryos destroyed. She has always maintained that they be kept frozen."

Vergara's representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in