A scientist loses his only son in a tragic accident and is persuaded by his grieving wife to create a new one.
A LOCK OF HAIR: Archie Meara (29), a molecular biologist and his wife, Ann (26) lose their first-born child (David) due to a tragic car accident at the age of two. Because she’s been forced to undergo a hysterectomy since the boy’s birth, Ann takes a lock of his hair as he lies dying in the hospital. Later, she begs her husband to create another child, one that will be a “part of each of them.” They are both clear that they don’t want a replica of their first child, however. And after discussing the potential risks together, they decide to go ahead - prepared for the worst, all the while hoping for the best. Assisted by his best friend, Matt Brady (29, a fellow scientist), Archie goes into the lab after hours and uses the somatic cell nuclear transfer method to try to make an embryo. Night after night, they toil together and after many failed attempts – just when they’re about to give up - a viable embryo is miraculously created. All three swear not to speak of it – not for a long while, at least - wanting to give the new baby a shot at living as normal a life as possible, away from the unrelenting scrutiny of the public eye. Once the baby, Derrick, is born via IVF with the help of a surrogate, a new, joyful chapter begins. Archie and Sally shower Derrick with love and affection. Matt also helps out, acting as an uncle of sorts to the child. As Derrick grows, the men keep meticulous journals for the scientific community, hoping to be able to tell the world one day about their amazing breakthrough. But that day never comes, because in every life – no matter how it’s created – the unexpected has a way of showing up, with all of its messy twists and turns.
