IVF

There are both pros and cons of in vitro fertilization, or IVF as it is commonly known. The main pro of IVF includes allowing a couple that cannot conceive naturally to still have a child that is theirs. According to the article, "every year in the United States, one out of every 100 babies is born with the help of IVF." Couples who want to bring new life into the world are able to do so if they have the resources to do so. Also, IVF has shown the advancement and progress in technology and treatment regarding infertility issues. One of the main cons of IVF is that the Church doesn't support it in its teachings. The Church believes that procreation should occur just between husband and wife, no third party allowed. This causes some tension between very religious couples who really want children, but cannot have them without help. Another con of IVF is that it's not 100% guaranteed to work for any given couple. It could also result in medical problems if done incorrectly, etc. A controversial con is that it could cause selective procreation because one has choices in the IVF process that could lead to selective abortions, etc.

The Church's teaching about IVF partially influences my opinion, but doesn't completely determine it. Because the Church believes how children should be conceived, as mentioned above, it would be seen as a sin. Also, because the Church "states that human life begins at the moment of conception," any of the unused eggs in IVF could be destroyed and that would be seen an unnecessary ending of human lives. With this information, my opinion of IVF would be poor, but it isn't all about the Church and its teachings. I believe that IVF is an option for couples who believe that having children is meant to be part of their lives. There are other ways for people to have children, but only those in the situation can make that decision. The financial cost of IVF doesn't greatly affect my opinion on the morality of the practice. If a family has the financial means to use IVF with genuine and good goals, they should be able to give it a shot. It is only if people are using the procedure for inhumane or unmoral reasons that shouldn't use it. Human life is most precious in the eyes of God, so why should there be a restriction on how that human life comes to be?