The family that provided the inspiration for Jodi Picoult's book, My Sister's Keeper –  about a couple who conceive a child to save their daughter from leukemia – is speaking out before the release of the film adaptation of the book, which opens tomorrow.

Lisa and Jack Nash of Englewood, CO – with the help of Denver infertility specialist Dr. William B. Schoolcraft, of Denver – were able to genetically create and conceived by in vitro fertilization the child that helped cure their first child, Molly, of leukemia.

The embryo created was a tissue match for Molly and did not carry the genetic abnormality that would cause Fanconi Anemia (FA), an often-fatal genetic disease, the Nashes said. The embryo later was born as Molly's little brother Adam. The umbilical cord blood from Adam's placenta was used for a blood transfusion that saved Molly's life. Later a second embryo from the couple would grow to become the couple's third child, Delaine.

"I appreciate the public discussion of the ethical issues raised by the book, and now the movie," said Lisa Nash. "But it's important to remember Jodi Picoult's story is in many ways a worst case scenario and our reality was one of miracles and hope."

The Nashes were the first couple to use Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) to create an embryo that could save a sibling's life. The ethical issues raised by the case led to extensive coverage by the media and caught the attention of Picoult, who used it as the theme of her novel.

"When I hear the 'designer baby' label, I laugh. Adam was designed to save his sister's life, but that's where it ended. Professional sports teams will have to look elsewhere. He's our special boy, but he's just a kid," Nash commented.

Today, Molly is cured of leukemia, but still suffers from diabetes. Mrs. Nash hopes that people will see that her decision to have Adam was a good one that does not diminish the life of the boy. The Nashes intended only to use his umbilical-cord blood to save Molly; they never have or ever intended to use his organs or bone marrow after he was born, as is depicted in Picoult's book and the upcoming movie.

–Jessica Delli Santi