In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is a treatment by which, according to the Mayo Clinic, “mature eggs are collected from ovaries and fertilized by sperm in a lab. Then a procedure is done to place one or more of the fertilized eggs, called embryos, in a uterus, which is where babies develop.”
When this procedure is conducted, there is always an excessive number of embryos created. The majority of embryos are frozen in liquid nitrogen for later use by the couple. However, if a couple decides to stop growing its family, it will likely abandon these embryos, likewise if an abnormality is observed either in the development of the embryo or after it is thawed for implantation. Most of the embryos created by IVF are aborted because most of them are not needed.
The Loma Linda University Center for Fertility and IVF describes the thawing and disposal of embryos. Its website indicates: “In this disposition choice, the fertility lab removes embryos from the liquid nitrogen and allows the embryos to come to room temperature without a period of culture or any attempt to retain viability. The embryos are then discarded as medical waste. For some couples, this may or may not pose a moral dilemma depending on their beliefs regarding the moral status of the embryo at this early stage in development. A psychologist may be able to help couples decide if this option is right in their case.”
As Catholics who believe that life begins at the moment of conception, the fertilization of an egg by sperm, these discarded embryos are human beings. Human life is already present, since the only thing that will develop from that embryo is a fully mature human person. At times, couples will lovingly adopt frozen embryos and the woman will bring the baby to term.
As a priest, I have encountered a good number of couples who opted to use IVF to grow their families. Unfortunately they were not fully aware of the moral dilemmas surrounding IVF. The Catholic Church does not believe that a person conceived by IVF is somehow a lesser human or an immoral creature. The Church condemns the actions incurred in the process, but not the person who is born through it.
Today, President Trump signed an executive order expanding IVF in our country. The published fact sheet from the White House states this order directs policy recommendations to protect IVF access and to reduce the expense of the treatment. The fact sheet states the President delivers on his promises because he promised to advance IVF and help American families with the associated costs of the procedure. During a campaign event I watched on television, I recall he stated either the government should pay for IVF treatment, or he should force insurance companies to pay for it.
The sheet ends with a quote from the President, “Because we want more babies, to put it very nicely. And for this same reason, we will also allow new parents to deduct major newborn expenses from their taxes, so that parents that have a beautiful baby will be able, so we’re pro family. But the IVF treatments are expensive. It’s very hard for many people to do it and to get it, but I’ve been in favor of IVF, right from the beginning.”
This executive order will significantly increase the number of babies destroyed once they are undesired and abandoned. For the sake of “more babies,” millions of babies will be killed. This is not pro-life. This stands against the heart of the Catholic Church’s teaching, along with the Church’s long standing opposition to abortion due to our recognition of the inherent dignity of every person from conception to natural death.
Picture used from Creative Commons. Link here.
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