Q&A- Ethics and In Vitro Fertilization

Question: My husband and I have been through four years of infertility testing and treatments, to no avail. It has been a terribly frustrating experience. We've spent thousands of dollars on medical bills and have nothing to show for it. We want a child so badly but have now been told that it isn't going to happen unless we use the procedure known as in vitro fertilization. Our doctor has access to fertilized eggs that will be destroyed if they aren't implanted in a recipient woman. A couple whom we don't know had their eggs frozen for future use but decided not to use them. How do you think God would view our accepting the eggs and giving life to one of them? Can you tell me whether or not it is right to "create" a child in this way?

Answer: You have asked a very difficult question that reflects advancing medical technology. Issues are arising today that were unheard of a few years ago, and many of them carry moral and ethical considerations that can be very troubling. This is certainly true of in vitro fertilization (IVF), which is the subject of considerable uncertainty and disagreement even among the most respected of conservative theologians. I will give you my own interpretation with the caution that I am not a theologian. The following thoughts are simply my best attempt to ferret out the theological issues as I see them and as others have advised me.

First, I am strongly opposed to the practice of creating fertilized eggs from "donors" outside the immediate family (this would include the donation of sperm or eggs from a brother or sister of the husband and wife wishing to conceive). In my opinion, to engage in such activity would be to "play God"--to create human life outside the bonds of marriage. I believe most conservative Christians would agree that this practice is morally indefensible from a biblical perspective.

On the other hand, I feel that in vitro fertilization is less problematic when the donors are husband and wife- if all the fertilized eggs are inserted into the uterus (i.e., no ova are wasted or disposed of after fertilization and no selection process by doctors or parents occurs). As the woman's body then accepts one or more eggs and rejects the others, the process is left in God's hands. This seems to violate no moral principles. I would recommend that no more than three eggs be fertilized and inserted, so that even if the woman's body accepts them all, no more than triplets will be born. To fertilize and implant more than three would unacceptably increase the risk of pregnancies of quadruplets or more, pregnancies which carry high risk for both mother and babies.

The dilemma you and your husband now face is different from ordinary IVF, of course. It involves the relatively new and complex issue arising from implantation of "leftover" embryos from a couple who had them frozen for future use but then decided to abandon them. Your acceptance of them would provide an opportunity for life for at least one embryo that presumably would otherwise be destroyed (as happened to more than three thousand embryos in England in 1996). I believe this procedure is quite different than an infertile couple seeking out an egg or sperm donor, which, as I indicated, is creating life from outside the family.

I would tend to see the option you've been offered as "adoption" at an earlier stage of development. The idea of embryo adoption is a new concept, but one which may become increasingly common as in vitro fertilization is more widely employed. For an infertile couple such as yourselves to participate in this type of procedure may not be a violation of God's law. From a theological standpoint, I believe the fertilized eggs in question already have an eternal soul (which occurred at the moment of fertilization). Most important, you and your husband had nothing to do with the decision to fertilize the eggs. By implanting them, you would merely be rescuing embryos that have no other possibility of life.

I have discussed this idea at some length with Dr. Joe McIlhaney, a gynecologist and infertility specialist who is a frequent  radio broadcast guest. He is also president of the Medical Institute for Sexual Health. We would recommend considering the adoption of the eggs only after serious prayer and consideration of the following points: (a) Make sure the potential donors have been screened for HIV, sexually transmitted diseases, and other health facts; (b) insist that your physician thaw only one to three living embryos (some embryos do not survive the thawing process). We recommend no more than three embryos be implanted because of the risk of multiple pregnancy; (c) insert all living embryos and be prepared to accept the possibility of twins or triplets if that is what happens; and (d) an attorney should handle the relinquishing of rights by the donor couple and the formal adoption process, etc. (The legal climate concerning this procedure is not settled, so it would be wise to secure legal counsel familiar with these issues.)

Let me stress again that this procedure is very controversial. I realize that equally committed Christians may see it in a different light, and I certainly don't claim to have the final word on the subject. There are deeply rooted moral and theological ramifications that will undoubtedly be discussed in the religious and scientific communities for years to come. In the meantime, I would encourage you to seek the mind of the Lord as you endeavor to make your decision. I know this has been a terribly difficult time for you and trust that He will give you peace about whatever direction you're led to take.

By Dr. James Dobson