In-Vitro Fertilization

From http://www.sfpulpit.com

Several weeks ago, Tim Challies posted an excellent two-part series on birth control (here and here). A related issue, and one which some Christian couples face, is that of in-vitro fertilization.

What follows is a list of initial conclusions that resulted from a discussion between our pastoral staff and Dr. Michael Frields, who serves as the chairman of gynecology at Glendale Adventist Hospital and is a member of Grace Community Church.

All conclusions reflect the following biblical presuppositions:

- God opens and closes the womb according to His sovereign will (Gen. 29:31; 30:22; Ps. 127:3; 1 Sam. 1:5-6).

- It is acceptable for Christians to take advantage of extant medical technology as long as the specific methods do not violate the clear teaching of Scripture or the believer’s conscience (cf. Rom. 14).

- Life begins at conception (Ps. 51:5; 139:13-16).

- No human life should be destroyed (Gen. 9:6; Ex. 20:13).

- Physical intimacy between a husband and a wife is the means God designed to produce offspring (Gen. 2:24; Prov. 5:16-17).

Initial Conclusions:

(1) All couples desiring to have children, whether naturally or with medical assistance, should carefully examine their motives to ensure that the desire to have a child has not become idolatry of the heart. This kind of self-examination should continue to take place even after children are born.

(2) Neither in-vitro fertilization nor surrogacy is a legitimate option for a single individual who is seeking to have a child without a biblical marriage.

(3) Neither in-vitro fertilization nor surrogacy is a legitimate option for a couple involved in an unbiblical union (e.g., a homosexual or lesbian relationship; an unmarried man and woman who are living together).

(4) Every embryo created between a husband and a wife—that is, every egg fertilized—should be implanted.

(5) A maximum of three eggs (preferably, only two) should be fertilized, since that is the greatest number the womb can reasonably sustain; when more than three are implanted, the additional embryos usually face death or serious defects.

(6) If freezing is necessary as part of the in-vitro process because of impending medical treatment (e.g., radiation or chemotherapy), the wife’s eggs and the husband’s sperm should be frozen separately.

(7) If frozen fertilized eggs exist, preferably all of them (not exceeding three at a time) should be implanted in the biological mother. They should never be discarded or destroyed.

(8) Scripture does not specifically address in-vitro fertilization and surrogacy per se. However, as stated at the outset, physical intimacy between a husband and a wife is the means God designed to produce offspring. For this reason, we believe that Christians should not use methods that employ donated eggs or sperm from a third party. Nor should they use methods that utilize a third party as the carrier of a baby resulting from the implantation of a husband’s sperm and his wife’s egg (such as surrogacy). The disastrous ramifications of Abraham and Sarai’s attempt to use Hagar as a third party in order to continue Abraham’s line in Genesis 16—particularly the tension that resulted between the two women—may serve as a warning for those intending to pursue methods involving a third party.

(9) The increasing legal and custody issues surrounding surrogacy provide an additional warning to those considering a method such as surrogacy. Moreover, the costs involved should cause Christians to consider whether or not in-vitro fertilization is the wisest stewardship of their God-given resources.

(10) Along with various medical options, Christian couples should seriously consider adoption, which is both a viable and God-honoring option (cf. Jam. 1:27).