Original subtitles

This is Stella, age 13.

She fainted at home.

Vital signs are stable.

But she's quite weak.

Lesions were found on her body.

Can you see me clearly?

Good. And now the other side.

Both places.

And this?

You feel this too.

Wait here. They'll come and get you.

Third floor and to the left.

Hi.

How are you feeling, Stella?

-Have you spoken to a doctor yet? -There was one here.

-What's going on? -We don't know.

What happened?

-She fainted, and now she's weak. -They're checking everything.

-Haven't you been feeding her? -She ate well yesterday.

Let me check your temperature.

You can't scare us like this, Stella.

Hi, are you Stella?

My name is Rasmus Bratsberg. I'm a doctor.

I'm going to listen to your lungs.

Who's here with you today, Stella?

-Mom and dad and Elin. -I see.

Stella's a dancer at the Opera. It's physically and mentally demanding.

We're worried she hasn't eaten enough recently. She's lost weight.

-Inhale and exhale. -But she's been so motivated.

What we are going to do today, is check that your blood is in order.

And we'll see if your body is getting all the nutrition it needs.

I'm a doctor.

She has several lesions on her torso.

We're used to bruises from her dancing, but this is new.

I'd appreciate it if you could keep me in the loop.

Is that okay with you?

-Is that something you want? -Yes.

Okay, we'll start with a full hematological examination.

-Mom... -Yes, honey. I'm here now.

Come in.

-You wanted to see me? -Yes. Great.

We have a unique opportunity.

An offer to become an independent clinic under BlueSeed's umbrella.

It will give us the financial muscle to build our own research department.

An independent research department where we can focus on

the things we really care about. Wouldn't that be fantastic?

Yes, that would be fantastic.

You know Elin. She's terrified the patients won't be prioritized.

So now she's rejected the entire idea.

And because she thinks she has something on me,

I can't do anything about it.

Okay...

And how do you think I can help?

The problem is that she has a witness

to the fact that the eggs she provided, and somehow fertilized,

were not handled according to regulations.

So I was thinking that if you

aren't entirely sure about what you observed,

we could get Bien back on track.

I think you also see

who crosses the line here on a daily basis.

Who even breaks the law.

Can't you at least think about it?

-Okay? -Okay.

Good.

Thank you.

You shouldn't be here now.

I know, but it feels better to try to do something.

Bjørn will call if there's any news.

I'll cancel all non-essential appointments.

Have you stopped reading your emails?

I forwarded an email from BlueSeeds to you.

-We're done with that. -I'm not!

Just read it and try to understand what it is we're giving up here!

Show some consideration.

Consideration?

Stella is in the hospital.

It's serious.

Bye.

She was admitted yesterday, and now they're doing a bone-marrow biopsy.

-What has the doctor said? -They did a blood smear.

They wouldn't take a biopsy if they hadn't found abnormalities.

No.

They wouldn't.

Is it bone marrow failure?

Yes.

In one form or another.

Hi.

Hi, Stella. How are you doing?

-Where is Bacon? -With Maiken.

He isn't allowed in here.

I thought fried noodles might be more tempting.

The doctor would like to see you two out in the hall.

We'll be right back.

Have they found out what it is?

It has something to do with your blood, or your bone marrow.

That's where all the cells in your blood are made.

Is it dangerous?

The cells in Stella's blood are normal.

-But unfortunately she has too few. -Is it leukemia?

No, it isn't.

We suspect aplastic anemia.

Which is a bone marrow failure.

-Is it serious? -Yes, it is.

No matter what type Stella has,

she will need extensive medical treatment and follow-up.

Will she get better?

Some do.

In those cases where we have a successful

bone marrow transplant.

So I was wondering:

Does Stella have any siblings?

No? Then we'll continue our examinations

and start searching for a suitable donor.

But we have time, right?

We have time to find...

Yes.

This condition develops

in stops and starts, so it's good to get started.

Hey,

are my eyes red?

A little.

Yes?

Everything will be okay, Renate.

Everything will be okay.

I think we have to stay here.

They need our blood samples.

And one of us has to stay with her.

Call me any time.

Are you hungry?

No.

-Will you stay here? -Yes.

Of course.

How could I have missed it?

I'm a doctor and she's really,

really sick.

It isn't that strange, Elin.

There's been so much focus on eating and body image.

And you haven't been together.

And she is a teenager. By definition uncommunicative.

But when I saw her today in that hospital bed,

it seemed so obvious.

She probably hasn't dared say anything.

She just wants to dance.

She has had to pull herself together.

I love that child.

Yes.

Of course you do.

And she needs you now.

Bjørn needs you.

And they are so lucky to have you.

You know this. You understand doctors. How hospitals work.

I don't know if that's a good thing right now.

It's a horrible diagnosis.

It'll be okay.

When I took the blood sample from that guy,

it's the thickest blood I've ever seen.

It was like squeezing cheese out of a...

I am so tired of your blood stories.

They are so boring. Can we just play?

-By all means, but poop is exciting? -Poop is awesome.

Intestinal bacteria treatment will go mainstream.

Are we expected to eat poop?

-It's more efficient than probiotics. -You're such a trend whore.

Look who's talking. As if fertility isn't trendy?

It's a necessary health service. Or else we'll all die out.

What if everyone dies of intestinal cancer?

Everyone won't die of intestinal cancer!

I'd love to work at Bien. Who wouldn't?

But they only hire nerds and brainiacs.

We do pretty much the same thing. Just chill.

Stop it! You got the best job, and you know it.

-I'm not saying it isn't a good job. -But?

But...

I don't know.

It's a lot to take on.

-A lot of money? -No, I worry about the ethics.

Doing right by my patients, my employer, and the unborn.

-At the same time. -Okay? How so?

We can't...

We can't make our own ethical assessments.

Of course you can.

Do you do everything blind, without thinking about it?

Give us an ethical dilemma.

What if I suspect that a patient has forged their partner's signature

and is receiving treatment without the consent of the child's father?

Easy. Pass it on to the doctor.

The doctor has full confidence in the patient.

Then... the matter is out of your hands.

But can I get into trouble for that?

If it turns out I knew about it?

Say the clinic is charged for illegal treatment.

If the father sues the clinic.

Or say the child sues the clinic.

But...

Are you asking for a friend?

-Hi! -Hi, we need a lawyer here.

Did you work this late?

People are crazy. Make sure you get transfer of ownership insurance.

I have a client who is suing the seller,

because the seller had buried a kitchen in the yard.

What? A kitchen?

Why?

He was tired of it, I guess. People...

They're crazy.

Hi, honey.

And you?

We're discussing the embryologist's ethical dilemmas.

Yes, I want to return to that. I have the answer.

-Let's move on to something else. -No, I have the solution here.

The man must have donated his sperm.

And that equals consent.

Sperm in a cup.

Doesn't that equal consent, Mr. Lawyer?

-Coming in a cup equals consent. -That's right.

If things get too crazy at Bien, you can come work with me in Trondheim.

-Are you moving? -I start at Bjerk after New Year's.

I'd be careful about giving specific examples.

I didn't know she was going to Bjerk.

They know something's going on.

-If your bosses get caught... -What the hell am I supposed to do?

If you want to blow the whistle, you need proof. Otherwise, shut up.

Ouch!

Do we have a little whistleblower stuck in here?

Yeah, in the same place.

Not that hard!

"Complications may include life-threatening infections

and other malignant blood disorders."

He told us not to google.

"Finding 100 % compatible donor marrow

only occurs in one

out of 40,000 patients."

The doctor said there are many options and not to google.

They don't want us freaking out.

Then stop freaking out.

-We can't lose her. -Shut up!

Of course we won't! What the hell are you talking about?

I'm sorry.

Of course we won't.

I'm sorry.

Did you park on the other side of town, or what?

I could have already given birth.

I couldn't find a spot and that high-tech...

That's why you practice beforehand, so you don't mess up like this.

But no, we're not going to practice parking!

Can you make it inside?

What's so funny?

It's happening.

-She's coming. -Now? Christ, hang on.

-There you are. -I don't want a wheelchair!

Renate?

We have to make a donor for her.

-It isn't like this every day. -Yes, it is, dad.

Have mom drive you tomorrow.

Bye. Have a good day, okay?

-Hi, Hennie! -Go on inside.

I apologize. There was all this traffic, and...

It's very important that they're on time. I've said it before.

I have to take this. I understand. I'm sorry.

Yeah.

-Hi, Nicolas. -Sorry. Is this a bad time?

No, not at all.

We should move forward

while the legal department is drafting the agreement.

I'm pretty confident that you'll be happy with the offer.

So maybe we could work up some ideas for some artwork,

some ideas for the logo, that kind of thing.

The other thing is that the Norwegian seminar is in January.

That'd be an amazing time to go public.

Maybe wrap one of the buildings. "Bien by BlueSeeds".

Make a bit of a splash. What do you think?

Yeah, I like it. It's really catchy.

Okay. I'll get some of my guys to work up some ideas, send them over.

And then we can talk.

That sounds good. Sounds really, really... good. Yes.

-Great. I'll speak to you soon. -Yeah.

-Okay. Bye. -Great. Fine.

Perfect.

Bye.

We have an appointment with the doctor at 10 a.m.

I have to talk to Elin first.

She won't like this.

She'll understand that we're doing what we have to do.

Okay.

Do you want more children?

It isn't about that.

But there will be a child

that no one really wants.

I just wondered what you thought.

I think we'll do whatever we can for Stella to get better.

-We wouldn't have a baby otherwise. -That's irrelevant.

It is what it is.

Right?

If we have a baby that makes Stella well,

she'll have a sibling.

There's no reason why we shouldn't love that child as much as Stella.

Of course not.

RECORD AUDIO

Smart.

-To exercise on your way to work. -Otherwise I'd never do it.

-I never do. -I've noticed.

Have you had a chance to think about what we discussed?

Yes.

But I was wondering about those eggs.

Who was she?

Hi. The coffee is brewing. I have to find a glove I dropped.

That was

my sister.

Okay?

Remember that meeting with the insurance company.

Your sister?

The thing is...

My sister is Elin's best friend.

And she wanted to give Elin her eggs

because she isn't having any more kids herself and...

So Elin retrieved eggs

from your sister?

After closing time? And you find out about this.

But instead of destroying them,

you decide to save them for research?

This is a lot to take in.

Yes, I understand.

But Maiken agreed I could use the eggs, for practice.

Since they would have been thrown away.

I'm not saying it's okay, but I want you to know we didn't exploit anyone.

-Okay? -And that...

That's more than you can say

about Elin.

Okay.

Never mind. I realize you feel you're choosing between two evils.

But if you can look beyond that...

If you instead can think about where we are going.

BlueSeeds will give us access to

the absolute best people in the field.

I need to think about this.

There's a lot going on in my head right now.

Yes, of course. I understand.

Super. I have to make a quick call, and I'll be up.

Try to eat a little, honey. Please.

You have to eat something.

-You want coffee? -No.

-Juice? -No, I'm fine.

Are you sure? How about a cup of tea?

It's important that you get enough food and rest.

Let me know if you want me to step in.

What we have to do is make a donor for her.

A sibling, cast in the same mold, same tissue, same blood.

We have to try. It's our only chance.

I understand that you think that. I get it.

But it isn't that simple.

You can't just...

It isn't a given

that a new baby will be a match for Stella.

You don't just need IVF.

You need to test all the fertilized eggs.

In the hope that there is a match for Stella. A preimplantation diagnosis.

Almost...

Almost no one in Norway gets that.

Exceptions can be made. I read about the Mehmet case.

Maybe we should let Dr. Bratsberg tell us what we can and can't do?

Elin may be knowledgeable, but not so keen personally.

I'm not saying that's the case, but you've had some priority issues.

I need to hear from someone whose only interest is helping Stella.

Well...

When it comes to

IVF and PGD,

Elin probably knows more than me.

But I can try.

I can say this:

In Norway there are strict criteria associated with having a child

with the intention of helping a sick child, a "savior sibling."

But it did happen in the Mehmet case.

That was a complex case

which triggered a debate

about designer babies and an elitist society.

And the ethical principle

that a human life should be a goal in itself,

and not used as a means to achieve something else.

The point is that they were allowed. It must have created

some sort of precedent?

The end result, which still applies today,

is that in some cases, under very special circumstances,

one can be allowed to make a savior sibling.

-But for you this will be difficult. -Why?

First and foremost, you don't meet the requirements

for normal IVF treatment. You're not a couple.

We can move in together.

If that's what it takes.

You could apply for separation, and just reverse it afterwards.

It isn't that simple.

If Bjørn and I want to make another baby, that's our choice.

But not if you need assistance from the Norwegian health service.

In addition,

in order to get a PGD,

which is IVF with testing of each embryo,

one or both parents must be a carrier of components

that can trigger serious illness.

Stella's illness has no hereditary factors.

So it doesn't qualify.

When will we know

whether Renate or I are a viable match?

That...

I'm afraid...

I of course wish I could do more.

Of course.

I understand.

Elin?

Elin, you can do it.

Right? You know how to do it.

We can make a donor at Bien. Take tests and one of those PGDs.

I don't know how to do a PGD.

-No one in Norway does them. -But you can figure it out. Learn it.

That's illegal. I can't just fix it in the back room.

You could try. You could if you wanted to.

Hi.

Hi?

What needle did you use to pick out the sperm cells?

That's the usual one.

A standard ICSI needle.

Is that the thinnest we have?

-No. -How many sizes are there?

They are sorted by diameter.

-Pointed or blunt. -Right.

Okay.

I'm so out of touch now, since CC is the technical...

So I have to

start paying more attention.

But

do you use the same tool to both extract and inject?

I don't extract.

No, I just mean

if you were going to take a sample of something.

Or if you were going to isolate a cell from an embryo.

We never do that.

No, but if we had to do some sort of testing.

Or if we did a PGD.

But we don't.

So what is it you're really asking, Elin?

Never mind. I don't want to know.

You're both insane! I don't want anything to do with this, understand?

And there's no way I'll lie about what I've seen here.

I can't work in this mess. Do you understand that?

Shit!

-Nicolas, hi. -You've been avoiding me.

Yeah, I know. I'm really sorry about that.

Listen, I was kind of hoping

I would be able to turn things around.

But I can't.

Meaning...

We won't be able to go through with the sale.

CC, you're never going to get a better offer than this.

-Yes, I... -I don't want to fucking hear it!

Bye.

These are living embryos

that will become people. It's an embryo biopsy.

That means

you have to suck out a tiny part

of something that is already smaller than a grain of sand.

And even if I somehow managed to do that,

one tiny mistake would result in disaster.

There is only one disaster here.

And that can't happen.

Okay?

I don't have those skills.

You can ask someone, can't you?

Do you know anyone who knows anything?

-Can you ask them? -Don't you think I have?

Of course I have.

Who? I want to talk to them.

I have asked... I do something else, Bjørn.

This isn't what I do.

Honey...

It isn't

that I don't want to.

-But I don't know how, Bjørn. -Okay.

And unfortunately

there is no one in Norway who does it.

The couples who do get a PGD are sent abroad.

Where?

-Where? -They do it in Spain.

So we can go to Spain?

Technically.

Technically? Can we go to Spain or not?

-Yes. -Okay.

So there is a solution.

Hi.

Hi there, sweetie. Is that today's?

Nice.

Your mom sure has upped the game with your advent-calendar gifts.

Hi there.

How are you doing?

Fine.

It's kind of nice that it's just you here.

Mom and dad are so

scared, and that makes me scared too.

I can see that.

Sometimes they just sit and stare at me while I sleep.

And I start thinking:

"Shit, are they worried I'll stop breathing?"

They're concerned. They aren't used to you being unwell.

None of us are.

You're a doctor, so you have to be honest, right?

Mhm.

How dangerous is what I have?

It...

It's a serious blood disorder.

That not many people get.

Am I going to die?

No, you are not.

With a donor,

we can make you well again.

-Is that true? -Yes.

Don't lie.

No.

I'm not lying.

But

a transplant

of stem cells

is extremely hard on the body.

So it's going to be tough.

Many

struggle to regain their strength.

You may not be able to dance again.

Like before.

But I promise you

that we are going to do everything we can.

We are going to do everything we can.

Subtitles: Plint plint.com