Much to the chagrin of many prospective American parents, China has decided to make it more difficult to adopt Chinese orphans. But is it holding back the prospects of millions of orphaned girls finding homes because it is embarrassed by a pernicious side-effect of the one-child policy? I personally don't understand how tightening the rules for adopting a child from China will help China in any way. It will only make more orphaned children in China which is awful. Since the government-run China Center of Adoption Affairs briefed international adoption agencies on the changes before the new year, US agencies have been overwhelmed by anxious calls and e-mails from people who now find themselves shut out of China's adoption picture for reasons they regard as discriminatory. The new regulations, which are expected to take effect on May 1, will disqualify those who are single, older than 50, or obese (defined as having a body-mass index of 40 or higher). Anyone with a criminal record or an illness such as AIDS or cancer is also excluded. In addition, there are new educational and financial requirements: couples must have a high-school diploma, a minimum net worth of US$80,000, and an income of at least $10,000 per person, including the adopted child. I agree that having a criminal record might be something that would be legtiimate to exclude you as an adoptive person. However I think the other requirements are sad and downright ridiculous. My aunt and uncle are adoptive parents from China who most likely do not make over 80,000 dollars per year. They are excellent parents and their daughter's teacher told my aunt that she was the smartest girl in her class. This is awful news.