In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is the process by which sperm and ovum are collected and combined for fertilization in a laboratory. The resulting embryo is then stored and either immediately injected into a woman’s uterus or frozen for later use. It is a process designed to overcome infertility in the couple. There are many great articles on the subject, both against and in favor of IVF from a Christian perspective.
Since we in pro-life ministry strive to be consistent in our biblical and practical stance in all areas, it is valuable to know the arguments for and against IVF. This article from The Gospel Coalition was the source for most of the information summarized in this article. I urge everyone to read this well presented argument in favor of IVF. My conclusion is at the bottom of this article.
The author makes several important biblical arguments in favor of IVF:
Overcoming fertility is pleasing to God: The author cites the cases of Abraham and Sarah, Jacob and Rachel, and Zechariah and Elizabeth as some of the couples God blessed as they trusted Him to overcome infertility.
Modern medicine is a blessing and good in most cases: The author contends that God put resources and human ingenuity on the earth in order to allow us to overcome many of the issues that a fallen world throws at us. Infertility was not what God intended and was not present in the Garden of Eden. Part of the command to subdue the earth is to learn to use those resources for “the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein” (Psalm 24:1).
The unborn child is human from conception: Many verses support this concept including Psalm 139. This biblical truth means we cannot condone any medical procedure that leads to the intentional death of the unborn.
Children should only be conceived by and born to married man and woman: Starting in Genesis 2:25, where Adam and Eve are man and wife, the biblical pattern for children born to a married man and woman is set.
Therefore, IVF is morally good in some cases: The author concludes that IVF is good if embryos are not destroyed in the process, that it overcomes infertility, and that the blessing of children is brought to a family.
Objections
Not a natural process as God intended conception: This is true, but we do not make the same complaint in other medical procedures that help heal or overcome health problems when modern medicine is used.
Sex and conception wrongly separated: The Fall is what began infertility and it is infertility that has separated sex and conception in couples who cannot have children. IVF restores that half of the equation; but it is also true that IVF does separate the actual act of sex from natural conception.
Many embryos are destroyed: This is the most serious and obvious concern. Without a doubt, many embryos have been destroyed as the most viable eggs were the ones implanted and the others often destroyed; but as IVF technology progresses, the success rate using just one or two embryos is much greater and extra embryos need not be collected and escape danger of being discarded.
As a side note, one of the medical advances in determining the viability of an embryo is the “spark of zinc,” which scientists discovered occurs at conception. The larger the spark, the more viable the embryo. The concern with this advance is that those embryos that don’t produce a big spark might be in greater danger of being discarded.
Some clinics are committed to no embryos being destroyed. They will be frozen, stored, and, possibly, used for other couples in IVF adoption. Realistically, storage is expensive and couples may find themselves unable to afford the storage cost. What happens to those unwanted embryos? In many cases, they are destroyed according to another article cited here.
The success rate of IVF has increased so dramatically that the argument that too many embryos die in the process is a less compelling argument than in past years. More than half of the implanted embryos do die. Does that alone invalidate IVF as a morally acceptable practice? One article said at least hundreds of thousands of embryos have been abandoned and most fertility clinics are dealing with this ethical conundrum.
In most cases, the abandoned embryos are either destroyed or used in research. This opens up a whole new set of ethical considerations.
Embryos may end up being adopted by same-sex couples: The biblical worldview would not support the intentional raising of children by same-sex couples. God’s word is clear that children are a blessing from God and are raised ideally by a married man and woman.
Is it ethical for living human beings to be indefinitely frozen with uncertain likelihood of ever being allowed to develop? Hundreds of thousands of frozen embryos – living human beings at the earliest stage of development – are created with the significant chance they will never be allowed to continue in their development. Is it treating human beings with dignity and respect to have them frozen with no likely chance at living?
In the case of Biblical couples and infertility, it was GOD who brought about the miracle of a baby: God was given the glory, and faith was increased by the impossibility of a barren couple being blessed with a child. While this can happen with IVF, I believe it is God AND the scientist who get the glory, rather than God alone.
Conclusion
This is a very difficult subject. I believe it is hard to take a firm stance without seeming harsh or lacking compassion for those who struggle with infertility. I do believe the objections outweigh the arguments in favor of IVF. My own conclusion is that conception is a VERY different aspect of health than other medical issues. The conception of life is so miraculous that I believe God alone should be in charge of it. The ethical dilemmas are overwhelmingly apparent when we have medically tinkered with this activity. I believe the dangerous outcomes and significant loss of embryonic life outweigh the admirable desires of infertile couples for children. I also believe sincere Christians may come to a different conclusion. I suggest everyone consider and educate themselves on both sides of this subject.
Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward” (Psalm 127:3).
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