Introducing Christian Ethics by Scott Rae

Author:Scott Rae
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Zondervan
Published: 2016-06-30T16:00:00+00:00

CONCLUSION

To summarize, in view of the biblical parameters for procreation, technologies that utilize the genetic materials of husband and wife are generally within the biblical boundaries. These include IUI, IVF, and GIFT as well as a sperm-injection technology in which a single sperm is injected into a single egg in the lab. With IUI and IVF, the couple must insure that they avoid the selective termination of fetuses in the womb and the discarding of embryos in storage. Technologies that involve egg, sperm, or womb donors are generally problematic, involving a third party entering the matrix of marriage for purposes of reproduction. They further undercut the intended continuity between procreation and parenting, which should give both men and women pause before considering donating sperm or selling eggs.

Women who are seeking to sell their eggs have an additional concern about the safety of the process. It is not uncommon to have what has come to be known as “ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome,” which involves a variety of potential complications, including loss of future fertility. The infertility industry maintains that egg harvesting for donation or sale is a safe procedure, but there is no data to support that claim. The reason is that the “donors” are not tracked after they complete the process of “donation.” The clinics that harvest their eggs do not follow up with them unless they have immediate complications that require the clinics to provide follow-up care or referral to hospitals. We simply don’t know about the long-term risks of this process, because there is no data available.

Concern is also evident in surrogacy, since a successful surrogacy arrangement requires the surrogate to distance herself emotionally from the child she is carrying, something we’d never otherwise encourage a woman to do. There is considerable debate over the question of motherhood in surrogacy arrangements, though the law has settled this by essentially denying all rights of parenthood to gestational surrogates, putting them in the position of being human incubators. There is additional concern about the way in which surrogacy is being outsourced today to developing countries, at a fraction of the cost compared with prices in the US or in the countries in Europe in which it is legal. Many of the women sought out as surrogates are desperately poor, increasing the potential that they will be exploited.

Infertility technology is a wonderful gift of God when used within the boundaries prescribed by Scripture. The pain of infertility is real and deep, and medical technology can be a good solution if practiced within the parameters of biblical teaching. Adoption remains as a heroic rescue highly valued by the Bible, and increasingly couples are choosing adoption as a first resort, not a last.

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