Why does the Church oppose IVF?
Catechism Meditation:
Techniques involving only the married couple (homologous artificial insemination and fertilization) are perhaps less reprehensible, yet remain morally unacceptable. They dissociate the sexual act from the procreative act. The act which brings the child into existence is no longer an act by which two persons give themselves to one another, but one that “entrusts the life and identity of the embryo into the power of doctors and biologists and establishes the domination of technology over the origin and destiny of the human person. Such a relationship of domination is in itself contrary to the dignity and equality that must be common to parents and children.” “Under the moral aspect procreation is deprived of its proper perfection when it is not willed as the fruit of the conjugal act, that is to say, of the specific act of the spouses’ union …. Only respect for the link between the meanings of the conjugal act and respect for the unity of the human being make possible procreation in conformity with the dignity of the person.” ―No. 2377
REFLECTION. Today, for a wide range of possible reasons, more and more couples are experiencing the pain of infertility. Many, understandably, deeply desire to have biological children and turn to biomedical technologies like in vitro fertilization (IVF) to try to fulfill their dreams. As Catholics, however, our faith teaches that these popular procedures are not the answer. In fact, they are harmful and wrong, and even tragically result in the deaths of many innocent children while they are young embryos. It is important to consider these realities when thinking about infertility treatments.
What is IVF? In vitro fertilization is the most popular type of assisted reproductive technology, a medical procedure women undergo to become pregnant. In vitro means “in glass.” In the IVF process, a woman’s ovaries are typically hyper-stimulated to yield multiple eggs, which are then harvested and fertilized with sperm in a laboratory. Some of the embryos created are transferred into her womb with the intention that at least one of the embryos will grow to full term. Many of the embryos that are transferred do not survive, though, and most of the remaining embryos are either killed in the process (some intentionally, some unintentionally) or are frozen in cryopreservation. Often, the process involves a couple’s own egg and sperm cells. Sometimes, however, they come from third parties. In either case, this process frequently incorporates a form of eugenics in which only certain embryonic children are chosen for implantation based on desirable characteristics, health outcomes, or both, and those who fail the quality control checks are killed.
Why is IVF wrong? Even though IVF can help create new life, there are multiple factors that make it contrary to God’s plan for marriage and children, therefore rendering it morally wrong. For example, as mentioned above, it often includes the death or freezing of embryonic children. And although preserving embryos by freezing them does not kill them, it could be compared to placing innocent children in prison. Creating embryonic children to be frozen and participating in their deaths are both profound violations of their dignity. As another example of why IVF is wrong, it also often includes immoral behavior by the man to obtain sperm.
Furthermore, according to God’s plan, marriage is an exclusive, lifelong union between a man and a woman that reflects the absolute and unfailing love with which God loves us. Sexual intimacy has two aspects—the power to unite (unitive) and the potential to create new life (procreative). These aspects belong together and should not be separated. And every child, as a human being, has the right to be conceived through a natural act of mutual, self-giving love within marital intercourse. But IVF separates conception from the spouses’ intimate, sexual union, and the children conceived through IVF are instead created through technological manipulation. IVF also intrudes on the exclusive nature of the couple’s union by introducing other people into the act of conception itself.
Additionally, every human being is a gift made in God’s image with infinite dignity, so people should not be treated like objects or property. No matter how sincerely the children are loved and wanted, the process still treats them like products that can be bought and ordered. And in cases where a third party’s eggs or sperm are used, or where a woman acts as a gestational surrogate and carries the child, these people are also treated like property in a transaction and as means to an end, rather than as people to be respected.
My child was conceived through IVF. I love them. God loves them. Does the Church love them? Absolutely! Every human being is created in the image and likeness of God and is equally loved by Him—and is equally worthy of the love of fellow Christians. That love does not depend on the circumstances of a person’s conception or birth. In fact, this is why we also care about the little brothers and sisters who were also created with IVF but who died or were frozen as young embryos.
To read the full article, download: https://www.usccb.org/resources/25-IVF-parish-primer.pdf
For more from the USCCB on infertility, please visit: usccb.org/topics/natural-family-planning/infertility
PRAYER. Heavenly Father, help me to surrender my expectations and rest in Your perfect will. Let my faith remain firm even when the path is unclear.
Timeless Wisdom Quote:
“For the childless couples, where there is no frustration of love’s overflow, the law of marriage still holds true; it takes three to make love, and that third is God seen not in children, but through resignation to His will.” ― Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen