Artificial Fertilization –– What Do YOU Say??
There are numerous couples among our churches who are childless. Some are due to medical problems, others are due to lifestyle induced problems. Whatever the root cause, many of them greatly desire to have a child or more.
Some of them are finally able to conceive with the help of medical intervention such as corrective medication, corrective surgery, or medically assisted fertilization. Ultimately all of it amounts to medical help for a couple to get a child.
However, some of the couples are unable to conceive because the husband does not have proper sperm count, or has some other such defect that prevents him from fathering a child in spite of medical help and intervention. In such cases, many of them are advised to buy sperms from a sperm-donor and go ahead with medically assisted fertilization.
Many believers have toyed, from time to time, with these ideas of taking sperm from another person (mostly, anonymous donors). A few of them contact me, knowing that I speak on apologetic and ethics-related issues. They need a scriptural and logical counsel.
What do YOU have to say scripturally on this issue?
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July 24th, 2010 at 2:25 am
We welcome your comments and feedback!
Johnson C. Philip
http://www.FreeCourses.org
July 25th, 2010 at 10:02 am
I have seen the extreme pain and emotional turmoil that infertile couples have been through and the ultimate happiness resulting from success of IVF or similar. I believe that as a last resort and with both couples consenting then this is a permissable choice. It is not adultery as it is an operation for all intents and purposes and allows continuation of the family, their traditions and beliefs. It also heals those years of hurt through trying.
July 25th, 2010 at 1:55 pm
These are indeed tough issues. !!!!!
God intended that pregnancy occur within the bond of marriage between a man and a woman — who are married to each other. God commissioned the human race in Genesis by the proclamation that Adam and Eve were to multiply and replenish the earth. Furthermore, according to the Bible, pregnancy is to occur between the man and a woman who are married to each other. Sexual relations outside of the marriage relationship, is either rape, adultery, or fornication. God condemns these as being morally wrong and thereby sinful.
If nature doesn’t allow a man and woman to multiply than why should try in an artificial way? Aren’t we trying to completely surrender to the Lords will??? Why not work hard on ourselves to accept our fate, tolerate the suffering and trying to understand the Lords desire instead of working hard to escape, ignore or avoid it? We are not in control, God is in control. However hard we may try, this fact cannot be changed. What does the Lord want us to say if we cannot get children? It’s not happening by chance, He must have a good reason. If it doesn’t work in a natural way, better forget about it and leave it up to the Lords mercy.
I know married couples who have got children after 10 or 15 years..
August 9th, 2010 at 10:42 pm
Romans 4:17-21 Hope against hope trust in the One who can fulfill His promises.
Phil.3:14 and
Hannha of 1 Sam.1
.easier said than done right!!But wai for God to bring it about rather than human intelligence and plan(Hagar).
August 19th, 2010 at 1:14 pm
Mr. Phillip,
I have a question to ask you in private. Would you send me an email address where I might contact you?
Thank you.
August 21st, 2010 at 11:05 pm
My wife and I have been dealing with this issue as we have been unable to have a child after years of trying. We have recently decided to look into medically assisted fertilization with our own egg and sperm. I too was originally against the idea, thinking that my wife and I could be the modern day Abraham and Sarah. however, after a long internal ethical debate, I came to the following conclusion. If indeed one feels that this would be pushing one’s own will above God’s, would not open heart surgery, appendix removal, tonsil removal, or antibiotics be the same thing? Don’t reply with “Well that’s different.” because when you get down to it, it’s not. It is amazing the changes one undergoes when one is thrust into a situation. We also plan on adopting a child in the next few years.