During this election cycle, an unexpected topic has arisen: in vitro fertilization (IVF). The sudden interest finds itself originating in an Alabama case where two couples sued a fertility clinic after embryos conceived through IVF were accidentally destroyed.
In February, the Alabama Supreme Court agreed with the parents and affirmed the person-hood of the embryos. This decision launched a thousand internet debates and opinion pieces. It even led to a resolution approved at the SBC Annual Meeting this past June in Indianapolis.
Minutes after the vote of the SBC Messengers was registered, headlines were published, tweets posted, and texts sent. There was much heat but little light.
The language of the resolution was familiar to the normative anti-abortion Southern Baptist. It has been affirmed that life begins at conception and, therefore, should be protected. That baby has a unique set of DNA, blood type and soul. Physically and spiritually he or she is a person.
The tension exists with the question of the process of in vitro fertilization. The typical process involves the fertilization of multiple eggs. Since life begins at conception, multiple lives have been created through this process. However, according to sources, in the typical IVF procedure, only a portion of those fertilized eggs, each a unique person, are implanted into the mother’s womb. This leaves multiple lives in a frozen limbo.
Many couples who have struggled with fertility have been blessed with children through IVF. Those lives are celebrated! This joy does not answer the question about the “left-over” babies. Those who have chosen to adopt these “snowflake babies” by having them implanted in the hopes of carrying them to term are to be honored for their efforts.
However, the reality is that far too many fertilized eggs will die after their 10-year period of viability. If a Christian couple chooses to pursue IVF, these difficulties must be considered and a plan for limiting the number of embryos.
God is good and has magnified the role of couples who also struggled with infertility. For some, He eventually provided the gift of naturally born children. God also chooses to bless His people through the gift of adoption. Whatever our situation, may we honor God through all our decisions, including decisions about reproduction and procreation.
This article was written by Jeremy Smith, Pastor of Midwest City, Eastwood.
