The reproductive technology industry and its advocates are concerned about the likely overturned of Roe v. Wade, as pro-life laws could
criminalize some of their practices. This is because destroying human life is an integral part of Big Fertility’s business model.
In vitro fertilization (IVF) in particular denies many lab-created children’s right to life.
In the first stages of IVF, a preimplantation screening of early embryos for chromosomal or genetic abnormalities takes place. The tiny humans that are determined to be “healthy” are implanted or frozen to be used in the future. The remaining tiny humans, and many “extra” embryos, are simply thrown away.
Further, many lives are lost through trial and error. Many of the lucky embryos who aren’t discarded during the first stages of IVF lose their lives during the implantation phase. Less than thirty percent of women who undergo the first cycle of IVF have a live birth. Even after three cycles of IVF, there is only a 45 percent success rate. This means that only seven percent of embryos created through IVF are born.
Each of these embryos is a human life formed by God. Once fertilization takes places, a human being made in the image and likeness of God is formed, regardless of where or how that life is conceived. It is not up to us to determine which lives are born and which are not. We do not have the authority to manipulate or use sacred human life however we please.
Currently, more than 1 million embryos are sitting in a freezer in this country. If Roe is overturned, and embryos are legally considered human beings in some states, clinics will be breaking the law by discarding or freezing extra embryos. Genetic testing could also be prohibited if personhood laws are established. Further, pro-life laws could end “selective reduction” practices that are often part of surrogacy contracts.
However, the practice of discarding human life deemed “unhealthy” or “extra” is not the only thing wrong with artificial reproduction. It’s also not up to us to create human life however we please. A child’s life is not something to be artificially formed to fulfill adult desires. God established a sacred way in which life is meant to come into the world. Through artificial reproduction, we have violated and disrespected God’s design.
Children are not commodities to be bought and sold, much less frozen or discarded. We need to be looking deeper at this industry and insuring that embryo’s are not destroyed..
Big Fertility’s panic in reaction to the Dobbs leak should serve as a wake-up call for pro-lifers.
