- Feb 5, 2002
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In a recent FOXNews article, a Southern Baptist pastor argued that pro-lifers can and should support in vitro fertilization (IVF) as a way for “parents to fulfill their God-given desire to nurture a child.” The article never addresses why most pro-lifers oppose this assisted reproductive technology, especially as currently practiced. It also doesn’t mention a resolution that was overwhelmingly passed at this year’s annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention, in which the denomination voted to formally oppose IVF.
That resolution was entitled “On the Ethical Realities of Reproductive Technologies and the Dignity of the Human Embryo.” In it, Southern Baptists clarified a core conviction that “the dignity and value of every human being … necessarily includes frozen embryonic human beings.” Like many of the delegates (called “messengers”) at the convention who opposed the resolution, the author of the FOXNews article told a moving, personal story of struggling with infertility. Because of IVF, he wrote, he and his wife have five beautiful children. In his view, IVF is deeply pro-life because it brings children into the world, and it is even miraculous because it offers people who otherwise could not conceive a child a chance to do so.
As the SBC’s resolution rightly described, and stories like this confirm, infertility brings “searing pain” for those who want children but cannot conceive. However, the resolution also recognizes that the real pain of infertility cannot justify all means by which children may be produced. Here the FOXNews article diverges, calling for “doing everything possible to help moms and dads pro-create — no matter their hurdles.”
Continued below.
That resolution was entitled “On the Ethical Realities of Reproductive Technologies and the Dignity of the Human Embryo.” In it, Southern Baptists clarified a core conviction that “the dignity and value of every human being … necessarily includes frozen embryonic human beings.” Like many of the delegates (called “messengers”) at the convention who opposed the resolution, the author of the FOXNews article told a moving, personal story of struggling with infertility. Because of IVF, he wrote, he and his wife have five beautiful children. In his view, IVF is deeply pro-life because it brings children into the world, and it is even miraculous because it offers people who otherwise could not conceive a child a chance to do so.
As the SBC’s resolution rightly described, and stories like this confirm, infertility brings “searing pain” for those who want children but cannot conceive. However, the resolution also recognizes that the real pain of infertility cannot justify all means by which children may be produced. Here the FOXNews article diverges, calling for “doing everything possible to help moms and dads pro-create — no matter their hurdles.”
Continued below.
