In Vitro Fertilization: There Is More Than Meets The Eye

What Happens During the Process?

This procedure of In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is more of an ethical or moral choice. When a baby is formed through IVF we celebrate because this is a life that God has given. However, we have to look behind the scene as to how this procedure takes place. Allow me first to explain a bit about this new process of birthing humans. A medicine is taken by the woman so that she would ovulate. Once this happens, a number of egg cells are taken separately by a doctor from the woman then mixes it with a sperm from her husband to produce an embryo. Usually, a single process like this is very costly so that doctors will have to produce a number of embryos from the couple to freeze for future use by the couple just in case the first implanting is not successful. We are not questioning the process but the way how the other embryos are dealt with. We fully understand that once a sperm cell penetrates an egg cell successfully it is now considered a fertilized embryo. And there is a saying that goes, "life begins at the moment of conception." They are fertilized human embryos. Once the woman gets pregnant, what will the doctor do to the remaining "extra" human embryos? Here are some of the things that could take place in the other human embryos that came from you after a successful fertilization.

A. They can be turn off from a list of options without the couples knowledge due to genetic disorder or abnormalities.

B. They can die due to low success rates in relation to some flaws in technology.

C. They can be dispose due to bio-hazard.

D. They can be donated to same-sex couples.

E. They can be utilized for future laboratory experiments.

F. They can be terminated (abort) to avoid putting the life of the mother in danger because they only need one.

The couple must be reminded that these human embryos are still their children that are not selected in the procedure. This is because they probably need only one child at the moment. These human embryos are neither "things" nor "experiments" but humans made in the image of God. And when a couple allow these things to happen to these human embryos who happened to be their children they are also instrumental in aborting (murdering) these humans created in the image of God. If a couple would still choose IVF as an option then they have to consider preserving human life by not putting the lives of the other human embryos at risk. They need to inquire from their physician asking them about the full detail of the procedure on how they handle human embryos. Again, we are not saying IVF is totally wrong but only the way doctors handle human embryos. Here's a testimony from a believer who held on to God's promises.

A Letter from a New Mother

"Hello Pastor Jun. I just read your post about IVF and indeed what you said was true. That if you cling on to God and depend on Him more than medicine or any scientific procedure. All things for Him is possible. I remembered when I clinged on to His promises in Genesis 18:14 that there is nothing hard for the Lord. Indeed it is true when you have faith and and just be faithful to God. He will give what your heart desires. I remembered when you counseled me and my husband. That we mentioned there is a possibility we won't have children because I was diagnosed with something that won't allow us or would have the least for us to have a child. You prayed for us. Thank you for praying for us Pastor Jun. Today, I'm nineteen weeks pregnant. Our journey before this was hard. Doctors also told us our only bit of chance to have a child is through In-vitro Fertilization (IVF). We were tired and weary but still we held on to God. We lift everything up to him And we believed that God has used my situation to bring honor and glory in His Name.

"I have been sharing it also to some women who is in battle with endometriosis and is really having a difficult time conceiving. Some people won't believe our little miracle but we do believe it is really God who worked in our lives.

"I just want to add that it is really amazing how God show us this miracles. We are just in awe of our Lord because after my repeated work up in the hospital and having said that IVF is the only and least way we can have a child. I let go of the scientific procedure and I stopped everything I was drinking to have a good egg cell quality to be fertile. I just let go of all and let God. I lifted everything up to him and that's when it happened. He gave us our baby boy."

Let the Lord's Will Prevail

In addition, I also remember a female friend who's doctor said that there is only one percent chance for her to get pregnant due to some reproductive concerns. But she and her husband chose to cling on to God by faith believing for His miracle to take place. They were surprised because not only did God gave them one but two healthy boys who are now approaching teen age years. Let God honor your faith. And let the Lord's will prevail. But at the end of the day, it is still your decision based on how you study and understand God's word.

Biblical References

"Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image." - Genesis 9:6, ESV

"You shall not murder." - Exodus 20:13, ESV