Viewing In Vitro Fertilization Biblically

Do you or someone you know experience the pain of infertility? We aim for you to gain insight into a common practice among those facing infertility, which unfortunately leads to the loss of millions of lives, a reality often overlooked. Their suffering remains hidden, their passing unacknowledged. 

Estimates from initial statistical analyses indicate that in 2012 in the United States alone, 1.2 million children were conceived through IVF, with only 62,000 children being born following the procedure. To provide context, Guttmacher's data reveals that in 2011, 1.1 million reported abortions were carried out. More information will be provided and linked below. To put things into perspective, this means that for every child born through IVF, 19 others were created and underwent processes such as being frozen, discarded, donated for scientific research, or perished during the IVF procedure. The magnitude of this situation is significant and raises serious concerns for those advocating for the protection of the unborn.

Abolitionists recognize the importance of universally rejecting all ageism and safeguarding the unborn from the moment of fertilization. One implication of grasping this reality is our opposition to in vitro fertilization (IVF), which we view as dehumanizing and harmful to the most vulnerable members of our society. The magnitude of human life lost in these procedures is often underestimated and reaches an incredibly alarming level. Throughout history, efforts against abortion have typically focused on opposing surgical abortion.

While historically, anti-abortion efforts have concentrated on opposing primarily surgical abortion, many Christians, churches, and even some secular organizations take a formal stance supporting the "sanctity of human life" and the principle of "human rights," asserting that life should be safeguarded from conception until natural death. However, the majority of Americans do not consistently view these tiny human embryos as fellow human beings created in the image of God. Some self-professed evangelical Christians and conservative pro-life advocates not only refrain from condemning IVF but actually promote it. If we are to put an end to legalized child sacrifice in our country, we must be unwavering in our call for justice: The destruction and dehumanization of our embryonic neighbors through IVF necessitate our reaction, and we are obligated to denounce it as vigorously as we denounce abortion.

IVF has transformed the creation of offspring into a commercial industry. This industry, worth billions of dollars, has enriched many while harming millions of small, frail, and vulnerable human embryos. In our quest for biological children, we abandon our own offspring. Typically, when someone successfully gives birth through IVF, they leave behind several of the child's siblings in frozen storage. If the individual no longer wishes to have more children, these siblings are deserted by their parents to be adopted by another family, thawed out and perish, or donated for scientific purposes, including human experimentation.

Research involving embryonic stem cells should be categorically rejected, regardless of its objectives. Human experimentation that results in the destruction of a human being is never permissible under any concept of human rights. These embryos are subjected to experiments and utilized in treatments that lead to their demise. This is murder. It is not justifiable, as some companies argue, simply because these embryos are surplus from IVF with no one to save them. Even with parental consent, murder cannot be condoned. This act is murder and should be condemned as such. We advocate for the exposure and strong opposition of IVF in the public domain, akin to opposing abortion.

We recognize that in the past 50 years, most of the Pro-life Movement’s efforts have been focused on regulating surgical abortions, and not even touching the unconscionable and morally reprehensible form of dehumanization and destruction that is IVF. Our approach today must be different than it was in 1973 simply due to the proliferation of technologies which destroy our neighbors. Because of this, we call upon opponents of abortion to respond anew to these technologies and join the charge in this fight. Yes, there are many children who will not enter the world if IVF becomes illegal. But we don’t think it’s right to concern ourselves much with a vague idea of what might be, maybe, in the future, when what we have right now before us is a dehumanizing industry that treats tiny humans like chattel and property to be bought, sold, and ignored on a whim. 

Further, we know what the success rate for IVF is, and it is not good. Even if you only implant one baby at a time, you still have an elevated risk of death. Thus, IVF creates a human being, so as to put him in an intentionally risky situation. The entire world system is set up to further child sacrifice. More than 65 million people have died in this country in 50 years. Whatever you think is an important issue, it pales in comparison to mass child sacrifice, and you ought to be doing something about it. It’s one of the devil’s chief tools — he tried to murder baby Moses, tried to murder baby Jesus, in Revelation 12 the dragon tries to eat the Messiah, etc.

IVF leads to dehumanization through the production of surplus embryos, which often leads to their neglect and abandonment. Rather than endorsing this system, individuals should consider rescuing existing IVF offspring and advocating for a change of heart. While some couples have chosen to adopt abandoned embryos, this process comes with its own set of risks and moral quandaries. The industry's methods result in the disposal of embryos and a high mortality rate during the thawing and transfer processes. Adoptive parents encounter financial strains and physical obstacles. This sector prioritizes financial gain over the welfare of children, perpetuating a cycle of creation and destruction.

Let us be clear about what we are NOT saying: Children conceived through in vitro fertilization are not less human or unworthy. Every life is worthy of celebration, regardless of its conception. 

However, expressing gratitude to God for life does not imply approval of the means by which it was conceived. For example, we denounce rape even if a child is born as a result. We aim to eradicate all instances of rape and ensure perpetrators are held accountable. The argument that "the ends justify the means" cannot be used to justify in vitro fertilization or rape. The circumstances of conception do not diminish a person's worth. We commend lives born through in vitro fertilization but empathize with frozen embryos. Individuals born through in vitro fertilization should advocate for those who cannot defend themselves. Your life has value, but in vitro fertilization is a practice that goes against our beliefs and should cease. Join us in opposing in vitro fertilization.

Infertility is undeniably a heart-wrenching experience, as highlighted in 1 Samuel 1:6-8. However, it is crucial to remember that the LORD is ultimately in control of childbearing, as stated in 1 Samuel 1:5. He is the one who answers prayers for children, as seen in 1 Samuel 1:21-28. By seeking Him and pleading for His intervention, we acknowledge His power to open and close the womb. The biblical solution to infertility lies in our Sovereign God, who takes joy in granting children to the Barren, as emphasized in Isaiah 54:1. It is a reminder that even the lineage of God's people, like Abraham and Sarah, began from a barren couple, as depicted in 1 Samuel 1:1, 2:11, and Luke 1:13.