Madonna's Quest to Adopt Malawian Boy: More Harm Than Good?

Oct. 17, 2006 — -- Has Madonna done great good -- or great damage -- by spending millions of dollars to help a poverty-stricken corner of Africa, and bring home a child who isn't an orphan and is seen by some as a symbol of the power of the wealthy to take from the poor?

David Banda, 1, was greeted by dozens of photographers as he landed in London today, as Madonna's attempt to adopt the Malawian boy continued to spark debate around the world.

Human rights and child-protection groups are concerned that child-protection laws were swept aside to give Madonna preferential treatment, and they are challenging the court decision that granted the singer temporary custody of David.

A random sampling of public opinion on the streets of London promises that Madonna's quest to adopt will be a long, sensational saga.

"I think it's wrong that she was just able to go out there and pick whatever child she wants without following normal processes that you or I would have to go through," said Claire Jenkins, an employee recruitment executive.

But Jenkins also told ABC News that Madonna could have a lot to offer David.

"Madonna has given a lot of money that can help, so I suppose there is a flip side," she said.

Still, some observers believe Madonna would be better off helping an orphan -- a child less fortunate than David.

"The child has a father," photographer Giles Keyce said to ABC News. "And it would have been better to adopt a child who didn't have any parents at all."

Robina Gibb disagrees.

"I think what she has done is wonderful," said Gibb, who adopted a child from the former Soviet Union several years ago.

"I think what's she's doing is highlighting the plight of children in orphanages in a poor country. She's highlighting the plight of adoptive parents," Gibb said.

It's no wonder that people are buzzing about Madonna and her baby.

The British news media have descended upon the story like the locust swarms that occasionally ravage large parts of Africa.