In Vitro Fertilization is defined as a technique for conception of a human embryo outside the mother’s body. In this procedure, several eggs are removed from the mother’s body and placed in a petri dish. Then, sperm from the father are added or injected directly into an egg. If fertilization is successful, the fertilized egg is either transferred to the mother’s or a surrogate mother’s body or frozen for later implantation (Andrews and Henig 1). Since its development, critics of in vitro fertilization, or IVF, have been eager to discontinue research into the process due to moral controversy even though research has proven it to be a very effective remedy for infertility, posing an important question for prospective parents. Before, the
…show more content…
Several women have refused this embryonic discarding resulting in the birth of multiples which can create a very dangerous situation for both mother and babies (Hawkins 1-2). Twins and triplets come with health risks including higher chances of premature birth, still-birth, cesarean section, and neonatal intensive care unit admission (Klein 1). In regular cases, one to three embryos are recommended but many more can be transferred at the request of the mother. After implantation, the doctor decides which embryos will be aborted or “selectively reduced” in favor of healthier ones (Richie 2). Selective reduction is the medical procedure of terminating a multiple which raises a moral dilemma for expecting parents (Klien …show more content…
Those opposing IVF, primarily the Vatican and pro-lifers, feared the unnaturalness of the procedure and some processes that go against their moral beliefs. Pope Pius XII saw IVF as an attempt by scientists to “take the Lord’s work into their own hands.” Later, the Vatican stated, “Fecundation must be carried out according to nature and through reciprocal and responsible love between a man and a woman” (Pros and Cons 1). Many pro-lifers, which are primarily devout Catholics, see in vitro as the mass killing of eggs that are not used (Lombardo 2). Another controversy concerns the ethics of masturbation, which is most commonly the method of collecting sperm from the father (Richie 2). Beyond all of these controversies, IVF has changed over time and become a more accepted method of
Several women have refused this embryonic discarding resulting in the birth of multiples which can create a very dangerous situation for both mother and babies (Hawkins 1-2). Twins and triplets come with health risks including higher chances of premature birth, still-birth, cesarean section, and neonatal intensive care unit admission (Klein 1). In regular cases, one to three embryos are recommended but many more can be transferred at the request of the mother. After implantation, the doctor decides which embryos will be aborted or “selectively reduced” in favor of healthier ones (Richie 2). Selective reduction is the medical procedure of terminating a multiple which raises a moral dilemma for expecting parents (Klien …show more content…
Those opposing IVF, primarily the Vatican and pro-lifers, feared the unnaturalness of the procedure and some processes that go against their moral beliefs. Pope Pius XII saw IVF as an attempt by scientists to “take the Lord’s work into their own hands.” Later, the Vatican stated, “Fecundation must be carried out according to nature and through reciprocal and responsible love between a man and a woman” (Pros and Cons 1). Many pro-lifers, which are primarily devout Catholics, see in vitro as the mass killing of eggs that are not used (Lombardo 2). Another controversy concerns the ethics of masturbation, which is most commonly the method of collecting sperm from the father (Richie 2). Beyond all of these controversies, IVF has changed over time and become a more accepted method of