By Annie Hughes
IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) is a medical procedure where eggs and sperm are combined outside of the body to create embryos. At first glance, this process seems to be a great option for parents who are struggling with infertility. It is a chance for those who are struggling to conceive and bear children, and it’s part of my story!
My parents tried for six years to conceive children before starting fertility treatments. Two years later, during my parents’ IVF treatment, there were four embryos left to be transferred as a final round. Miraculously, my siblings and I were born prematurely seven months later. This was a highly dangerous pregnancy, and my mom’s heart even stopped during it.Her survival was labeled as a miracle even by her doctor. Praise be to God for that, as she was not only the mother of quadrupelets, but also an, at the time, 12 year old boy. (I do desire to mention that my mom is truly such a role model for me in Christian life and as a woman. She is truly a real life super hero. Additionally, I would like to mention that though I am against IVF this is not to put down my mother or father.They too are children of God redeemed and forgiven in Him and given value by Him. I give thanks to God that I have them as my parents.)
Now why would someone born from the process of IVF be against it? First and foremost, it is immoral, both scientifically and Biblically. It is highly invasive and stems from the science of eugenics. Part of the process of IVF involves testing the embryos. During this testing a needle is placed into the embryo pre-implantation, and the genetics of the baby are examined. This can cause great harm to the child. If an embryo is deemed genetically unworthy, it is destroyed. Who are we to determine someone’s value based on their genetic features? God alone gives us value! Are we God? No. We are sinners and the idea of us being able to play God is of the flesh.
The process to retrieve sperm is adulterous by biblical definitions, as the father of the child must ejaculate his sperm into a container for its collection. To collect sperm, the father is typically given pornography and is encouraged to masturbate into a cup. This ignores God’s design for a one-flesh union between husband and wife. Another option would be for sperm to be retrieved by a needle, which is a highly painful process. Again, this ignores God’s good design for marriage as instituted in Genesis 2:24.
IVF also increases the chances of infant and maternal death or complications. Doctors commonly transfer more than one embryo in the uterus at a time to increase the chance for a successful implantation. However, if multiple embryos implant, the doctor may strongly encourage an abortion, because the birth can be dangerous for the mother and the children.
Finally, a large percentage of my generation is frozen due to the fact that they were not transferred. These lives, also known as “Snowflake Babies,” are stuck inside a freezer instead of being able to grow in vocation and faith. To know this hurts me, and it hurts to know that parents think this is their only option. It is not! Embryo adoption is an option for couples who may struggle with infertility, and it affirms the value of the babies created via IVF.
I give thanks to God for my life, the lives of my siblings, the lives of those who have been conceived via IVF, and those who will be conceived via IVF in the future. As For Life Christians we may not agree with the practice of IVF, but we do recognize that approximately 2% of all babies born have been conceived via IVF. These lives are valuable. No matter the method of conception, the message of Psalm 139:14-16 still rings true:
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.
When we look at IVF, we cannot claim that it is life affirming, but we can be reminded that God works through all things for good. Every single life is valuable, important, and created in the image of God. We can see examples of God using the product of sin for good in the death and resurrection of Christ. Thanks be to God for His graciousness and love that changed sin into salvation for in this we have forgiveness and redemption in Him despite our sins.
Despite who you are, how you were conceived, or how you have acted in the past, you are loved by Christ, you have forgiveness in Him, and you have value given to you by Christ that nobody can ever take away from you.
To learn more, and view sources for this information, please read the Y4Life IVF infographic and LFL position statement on IVF.
Annie Hughes is a Junior at Concordia University Chicago. She is in the LTE program and studying art education as well as in the Deaconess program studying theology. She is a quadruplet and was conceived by IVF, on top of that she has an older brother, 2 step brothers and 3 step sisters. She also has four dogs and a frog. One of which (Max) she considers to be her dog and best friend. Annie is the social media manager for the for life chapter at CUC and is also on the dance team. She enjoys anything artsy, specifically visual arts, singing, and all aspects theater but specifically being on stage. If she were a fictional character many would say that she is like Miss Frizzle. Annie was raised Lutheran and has always enjoyed the study of theology but specifically enjoys the study of liturgical art.