Is Nick Loeb taking Advantage of Sofia Vergara?
Recently, Sofia Vergara has been undergoing a very public battle regarding a private matter with her ex-fiance, Nick Loeb, over what to do with embryos that the former couple froze while they were still together. According to the story, the couple froze two embryos back in 2013, and initial reports stated that Vergara wanted to destroy them now that she obviously has no interest in having a child with her ex. Although Vergara’s lawyers have since insisted that she wants the embryos to remain frozen, the battle wages on. Loeb is now taking legal action in hopes of getting permission to bring the embryos to term, claiming that he’s ready to be a single parent through the use of a surrogate. According to Loab: “I want these children to have the best lives possible … There’s nothing more that I want to do than bring these children to life.”
Loeb claims that the situation regarding the embryos raises serious “moral” “legal” and “ethical” questions, and he’s right. However, Vergara maintains that he is just using the situation to take advantage of her, and get himself some attention in the process. Think about it, have you ever heard of Nick Loeb until now? Chances are the answers no, and this is probably the closest to famous he will ever get. Sure, Loeb may have a legitimate interest in what happens to the embryos, but this issue could have been solved in a much more quiet and private manner.
However, despite the fact that this incident is infringing on Vergara’s privacy, it does raise several very interesting questions. Who has a right to do what when it comes to shared embryos? Should one party be allowed to destroy or conceive an embryo without the other’s consent? In an op-ed piece that Loeb wrote for the New York Times, he stated: “When we create embryos for the purpose of life, should we not define them as life, rather than as property?” and “A woman is entitled to bring a pregnancy to term even if the man objects.” This battle over what to do with the embryos also raises perhaps the most important question of all, are embryos considered human life?
While all of these points and questions are valid, what they don’t seem to be is applicable to Loeb’s specific situation with Vergara. According to the original contract between the two in response to their embryos, they CANNOT be brought to term without the consent of both parties, which is clearly not present in this situation. However, Loeb claims that the agreement did not explicitly state what should happen to the embryos in the event that the couple splits up – which is a requirement according to the state law of California. Although he may have a leg to stand on with this technicality, it does seem a little nit picky, and the fact that one person refuses to give consent seems like it should outweigh the fact that they are no longer together. Of course, no one is thinking about the end of their relationship while they’re in it, but getting this small detail ironed out at the time the contract was written could have eliminated this whole situation.
With that being said, it’s becoming clearer and clearer that Loeb’s real interest lies in trying to make a name for himself. In fact, she seems genuinely annoyed that Loeb was able to gain so much attention, stating: “allowing somebody to invent things and create press for himself. He’s not an actor. He’s not a celebrity. It’s like, why?” However, Vergara refuses to let his actions bring her down, and she says that she is at a very good place in her life right now. According to Vergara: “I’ve been working very hard for 20 years to get to this point where I am. I promote all my movies, all my work, but I don’t like promoting my private life. And I don’t want to allow this person to take more advantage of my career and try to promote himself and get press for this.” However, one lingering question remains – why these embryos? Loeb has no children of his own, so wanting to become a father makes sense, but there are other ways he could go about doing it that 1) wouldn’t involve a high-profile court case and 2) wouldn’t involve Sofia Vergara – and maybe that’s the problem. But even with the heated debate underway, both Vergara and Loeb say that they have no hard feelings towards each other, and Vergara seems to be extremely happy with her new man, Hollywood hunk, Joe Manganiello.
Ultimately, what happens to the embryos will have to be decided by a court of law, since there’s a pretty good chance Vergara and Loeb won’t be coming to an agreement any time soon.
What do you think should happen? Should Loeb be able to use the embryos without Vergara’s consent, or should the embryos remain frozen indefinitely? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments, and please share this post with your friends to find out what they think.
(Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
