Should Christian Couples Use IVF?

Summary

Summary prepared by Acts 2:38 Life from the transcript below — the preacher’s words follow in full.

The ground: pro-life, and no statement on IVF itself

• The question posed to him: is invitro fertilization an acceptable alternative for a couple unable to conceive — and does the UPC have a stance on it? The controversy named with the question: the process creates more embryos than can actually be implanted, and embryos not needed are discarded, which some consider the destruction of human life. He first sets the ground. The UPC has a very clear stand: pro-life, and against abortion. We do believe that life begins with conception in the womb — human life that God forms: as for example Psalm 139, God forms the human in the womb; and there are the examples of Jeremiah, of whom God said, I've called you, formed you in the womb, and so forth. So we definitely stand against abortion in all forms, and we have a clear statement on that. We do not oppose birth control — although there are some methods that may involve, in effect, abortion, and we would not be in favor of that. And we do not have a statement regarding invitro fertilization.

Scriptures: Psalm 139; Jeremiah

Not opposed to the principle

• We are not opposed to the concept, or the principle: if someone is having trouble conceiving naturally — a husband and wife, because we would see it as appropriate within marriage — we don't oppose methods that would help them be successful in conceiving and bearing their own child. Using the egg or sperm from a third party would raise other questions; but a husband and wife trying to conceive their own child, with a medical or physical issue and some workaround to successfully achieve that — that, he thinks, is fine.

The condition: every embryo conceived is implanted

• The problem is not so much the technique. In order to increase the odds of success, many times multiple embryos are created — and then, if they're not needed, they're discarded. We would be opposed to that aspect. If it's possible — even though this may decrease the odds, and therefore increase the expense — the couple should make sure that whatever embryos are conceived will be implanted: do just one, or, if they are willing to accept the possibility of multiple births, they could do two or three. The chances are that not all the eggs will be fertilized, and even if they are fertilized, not all of them will survive — you start with a process of multiple eggs, but you end up with maybe much fewer conceptions and embryos. So the challenge is in talking to the doctors: what process is being used, and are we committed that any embryos that are conceived will be implanted? And if for some reason there is a discrepancy — sometimes embryos are frozen for a later use, and there are some Christians who actually adopt frozen embryos; that's another consideration.

The wider set of options: adoption, and trusting God

• So, to summarize: we are not opposed to the concept, to the principle, of helping a husband and wife conceive their own child. A couple that is not able to conceive could consider this medical option under limited circumstances, with a pro-life mentality, a pro-life philosophy. But they could also consider adoption — of course, adoption is a biblical option: adopting a child that's been born, but maybe even adopting an embryo that has been frozen might be another alternative for Christian adoption. And finally, we have many examples where God has touched someone miraculously and they're able to conceive — we certainly believe in the power of God. A couple should consider all options, including trusting God and asking God to do a miracle. We do have an endorsed adoption agency, New Beginnings, and also an endorsed children's home (its name is heard in the captions as 'tpit old Children's Mansion') that often has children they're able to place. There are a variety of options for families today; they should look at all of those options, and seek God and ask God for direction in their particular case.

Where the position is written down

• He adds: the statement on sanctity of human life can be found on the website, upci.org — search for statement archive and you can find all of our statements; there's also a drop down menu where you can select that option and see that statement, as well as all of our other official statements. And we amended our articles of Faith to add a few key phrases to Anchor some of these position papers: one of the things added is that we believe in life — both unborn, in the womb — an attempt to say we are pro-life, in our articles of Faith. For more detail, you go to the position paper.

Scripture index: Psalm 139; Jeremiah.