Is In Vitro Fertilization A Moral Issue?

Photo Credit: Torsten Mangner

With the increasing availability of reproductive technology, a growing number of Christian families that have struggled with infertility have chosen to utilize in vitro fertilization (IVF) and even surrogacy.

However, according to a recent Pew Forum report, a large number of Americans (46%) do not view IVF as being a moral issue. In comparison, only 23% view abortion as not being a moral issue. In contrast, 49% of Americans view abortion as being morally wrong, whereas only 12% of Americans are opposed to IVF on moral grounds.

In an article on the Hermeneutics blog entitled "The Overlooked Ethics of Reproduction", Jennifer Lahl raises some thought-provoking questions about whether the creation of life should be viewed in moral terms in a similar fashion to how we view the taking of life. In other words, the question at hand is whether God, as the author of life, cares about the circumstances in which life is created?

Lahl offers this:

"While grieving with those who struggle with infertility, Christians still need to look more carefully at today's reproductive technologies such as IVF in light of our beliefs about God, life, our bodies, and our children. 

Since the time of the Old Testament, infertility has been part of the human experience. Many of us know someone who has struggled desperately to have a child or have experienced that difficulty ourselves. In the 21st century, though, infertility is met with "options," "solutions," and countless technologies offering hope to those in our midst struggling with fertility issues. Rather than rushing to embrace any procedure that might bring us a child—IVF, sperm or egg donors, surrogacy—we should consider the appropriate use and limits of technology. 

The fact that so many people fail to consider the moral implications of IVF suggests that in the age of fertility treatments, surrogates, and modern family-building via parenting partnerships, a woman's womb has come to be seen as a somewhat arbitrary location. NBC's The New Normal quips that women are "Easy-Bake Ovens" and children are "cupcakes." 

In Scripture, God affirms that what happens in utero matters and cannot be casually or disrespectfully dismissed. The womb, where God first knits us together (Ps. 139:13-14), is not an arbitrary place for a child to grow and develop. In fact, modern science has proven just how important those 9 months are—for both mother and child. 

Renowned marriage and family therapist Nancy Verrier, in her book The Primal Wound, writes about how mothers are biologically, hormonally, and emotionally programmed to bond with their babies in utero as well as at birth. A baby knows his or her mother at birth, and both the mother and the baby will experience grief at any separation at the time of birth. This primal wound is forever present. 

In other words, it's nowhere as easy as the Easy-Bake metaphor. In the case of surrogacy, we can interrupt the natural rhythm for mother and child and risk negative effects. (It is worth noting that surrogacy differs from adoption in that surrogacy intentionally establishes a situation that demands that a woman not bond with the child she is carrying.)

These are some important issues to consider and each Christian family should prayefully consider the ethics involved in utilizing modern technology in creating new life.

You can read the rest of Lahl's article here.

Sarah Palin and the Vice-Presidency

I, along with many other Americans, was quite surprised with John McCain's selection of Alaskan governor Sarah Palin as his running mate for the Republican Party in this year's presidential election. Though Palin is relatively inexperienced in politics (roughly a decade on a city council and as a mayor, in addition to her two years as governor), she brings an interesting background to the Republican ticket.

A former high school athlete and beauty queen, she is also a hunter, fervently pro-life and an outspoken Christian. Not to mention being the mother of five children, including a baby that was just born this spring. In addition, she is the first female on a presidential ticket for the Republicans and represents a major step forward. Senator McCain is known for his maverick ways and certainly demonstrated that with the selection of Gov. Palin as his running mate.

Within days of Palin's selection, news of the pregnancy of her 17-year old daughter, Bristol, hit the wires. In a reversal of roles, many liberals chastised her for failing as a parent while many conservatives, on the other hand, called for sensitivity and understanding.

As a parent I know that, as well-intentioned as we may be, our children sooner or later need to make their own decisions and be their own people. Had Gov. Palin violated her pro-life principles and encouraged her daughter to seek an abortion, she would not be dealing with the heat in the public eye that she now is. But she would be going against something that she claims as a core value -- that every child has value in the eyes of God. Whether a child is planned or not or has a disability or not, their life has worth.

Similar to my post about Jamie Lynn Spears' pregnancy, I applaud the Palin family for standing behind Bristol and supporting her as she plans to have her child. The statement from Gov. Plain is telling:

"We have been blessed with five wonderful children who we love with all our heart and mean everything to us. Our beautiful daughter Bristol came to us with news that as parents we knew would make her grow up faster than we had ever planned. We're proud of Bristol's decision to have her baby and even prouder to become grandparents. As Bristol faces the responsibilities of adulthood, she knows she has our unconditional love and support.

"Bristol and the young man she will marry are going to realize very quickly the difficulties of raising a child, which is why they will have the love and support of our entire family. We ask the media to respect our daughter and Levi's privacy as has always been the tradition of children of candidates."

She is handling the situation as gracefully as to be expected and I respect her for that. Politics aside, she is bravely carrying on the mantel for the sanctity of life. Even beyond the situation with her daughter, Gov. Palin recently gave birth to a son, Trig, after he was diagnosed with Downs Syndrome. In an age when many parents are aborting babies with disabilities, Palin and her husband, Todd, chose to go against the grain and bring another beautiful child into the world.

I don't know whether Senator McCain and Governor Palin will be in the White House come January or whether they would even be the best leaders for our country, but I do hope that she continues to speak on behalf of the unborn in a society that continues to treat children is inconvenient and not the blessing that they truly are.