In-Vitro Fertilization

We believe that in-vitro fertilization (IVF) may be morally justified when such a pregnancy takes place in the context of the marital bond. When IVF is advocated outside the context of marital commitment, such a procedure lacks moral justification.

We understand that Christian medical scientists differ on the moral worthiness of research with the human ovum and human sperm as a necessary part of perfecting techniques for in-vitro fertilizations.

Our consideration of in-vitro fertilization is qualified by the following recommendations:

• Laboratory IVF research should not be supported or allowed unless such research is with the explicit intent of embryo transfer and eventual normal pregnancies.
• Clinical IVF and embryo transfer is justified morally only within the context of the marital bond, using "gametes obtained from lawfully-married couples" as the recommendations of the Ethics Advisory Board of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare have indicated.
• Amniocentesis with possible abortion should not be an expected part of the clinical protocol.

TPRC approves the following procedures as consistent with God’s design for the family:

• Education about fertilization
• Medical treatments (e.g., ovulation-inducing drugs)
• Surgical intervention (e.g., for anatomic abnormalities hindering fertility)
• Artificial insemination by husband (AIH)
• Adoption
• In-vitro fertilization (IVF) with husband’s sperm and wife’s egg, with subsequent:
• Transfer to uterus (ER - embryo replacement)
• Zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT)
• Gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) – husband’s sperm and wife’s egg
• Cryopreservation of sperm or egg

TPRC cannot speak with certainty about the place of the following procedures in God’s design for the family:

• Artificial insemination by donor (AID)
• In-vitro fertilization (donor egg or donor sperm)
• Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (donor egg or donor sperm)
• Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer (donor egg or donor sperm)

Reasoning: While there is no clear Biblical support for the concept of the introduction of a third party, there is strong Biblical support for the ideal of a family as defined in the statement above.

• Cryopreservation of embryos with specific safeguards

Reasoning: Cryopreservation raises the possibility of embryo destruction and preservation of excessive embryos.

TPRC strongly opposes the following procedures as being inconsistent with God’s design for the family:

• Selective abortion for embryo reduction or sex selection
• Surrogate mother procedures
• Transfer of excessive numbers of embryos to a recipient mother
• Uterine lavage for embryo transfer
• Discarding of embryos
• Therapeutic and nontherapeutic experimentation with embryos

TPRC affirms the need for continued moral scrutiny of our developing reproductive technology as it impacts the family. We recognize that, as medical professionals, we must use our creative capacity within the limits of God’s design.

Couples who suffer from infertility should be encouraged to seek pastoral guidance and counsel, as well as to pray for God’s wisdom in the use of any of these technologies.