IVF

Today about 8.5 (3.3 million) percent of couples of child-bearing age are infertile. With
infertility on the rise there have been advances in technology to conceive outside the natural way.
In Vitro Fertilization is one of them. Many infertile couples might consider In Vitro Fertilization
a blessing; however, there are morale and ethical issues involved with this procedure, that people
would disagree with; such as the killing of unwanted embryos.

We will discuss the procedures involved with In Vitro Fertilization , current status, cost
and benefits, but more importantly we will examine In Vitro Fertilization in light of the Bible, and
determine, �Is it our place to create life, then destroy it?� Does the end justify the means?

As already stated, today about 8.5 (3.3 million) percent of couples of child-bearing age are
infertile. There are various causes for this reason. One of the major reasons is the availability of
birth control methods, which have people to believe it�s okay to have sex with as many partners as
you please because there are no consequences. But birth control methods do not protect you
against sexually transmitted diseases which can cause infertility, such as; gonorrhea, chlamydia,
and syphilis. (Sher, Davis, and Stoess 3-4)

Another cause is that many women are waiting until their 30�s, the second half of their
reproductive life, to start a family. As Geoffrey Sher et al. said in his book In Vitro

Fertilization: The ART of Making Babies:

Thus, a woman who decides to have children after 35 might find she is infertile
because of hormonal problems, a pelvic disease, such as endometriosis, or the
development of benign fibroid tumors of the uterus. In addition, the ability to
ovulate healthy eggs and concurrently generate a hormonal environment that can
adequately support a pregnancy becomes increasingly compromised as a woman
older. Thus, many women who plan to become pregnant later in their
reproductive lives find themselves unable to do so. (4)

Another factor in infertility is the use of alcohol and illegal drugs that can alter the genetic
material of the eggs and sperm (Sher, Davis, and Stoess 4).

As already stated, In Vitro Fertilization is a procedure that infertile couples use to
conceive a baby. There are four basic steps in In Vitro Fertilization; ovulation induction, egg
retrieval, fertilization and embryo culture, and embryo transfer.

In the first step women are given a series of two hormonal drugs over a timespan of
several days. The first drug, such at hMG (human menopausal gonadotropin), causes
the ovaries to produce many eggs instead of the single egg produced each month. The second
drug is called progesterone which thickens the lining of the uterus wall to prepare it for the
unborn baby (Preimplantation Genetics).

When the women is ready for egg retrieval the obstetrician (doctor) retrieves the eggs
by a process called, �Ultrasound Guided Transvaginal Obcyte Recovery.�

During ultrasound guided egg retrieval . . . the physician will introduce a long,
sterile ultrasound probe into the vagina. The probe is the projector that transmits
the clearly identifiable image of each ovarian follicle to the ultrasound viewing
monitor. The physician will then pass a needle via a sleeve alongside the probe
through the top of the woman�s vagina into the ovarian follicles.� ( Sher, Davis,
Stoess 66)

This procedure will retrieve about 25-40 eggs, and takes about 20-30 minutes.
The Doctor takes the eggs and puts them into a separate culture dishes. A couple of hours later about 50,000 sperm (collected earlier from the male partner) are placed in each culture
dish with the eggs, and are left overnight to began the fertilization process. The eggs that are
fertilized are left a couple days to grow (Preimplantation Genetics).

The couple can decide if they want a Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis done on the
embryos (the now fertilized eggs). In Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis one to two cells are
taken from the embryo to be analyzed. If any genetic defects are found, such as down syndrome,
the embryos are destroyed and thrown out (Kahlenborn).

The last step of In Vitro Fertilization, embryo transfer, is done by a soft catheter that is
placed into the womans cervix, and three to seven embryos are injected into the women�s
uterus. Hopefully they can implant and the women will become pregnant (Preimplantation
Genetics).

The remaining embryos are placed into a freezer (-196 degrees C) in case the first
attempt of In Vitro Fertilization wasn�t successful (Kahlenborn).

Currently each cycle of treatment of In Vitro Fertilization can cost an average of
$4,000-10,000, or more, depending on the clinic (Greenfield). The success rate is a more
complicated issue:

The quick answer is somewhere between 0% to as high as 50%. Unfortunately, a
meaningful answer is a lot more complicated. Obviously, success rates depend on
how you define success and calculate the total population. Do you mean clinical
pregnancy rate (implantation seen on ultrasound), or ongoing pregnancy rate (fetal
heart beat seen by ultrasound) or delivery? Will the denominator in this calculation
be the number of couples entering treatment, or those going to oocyte retrieval, or
those having pre-embryos replaced into the uterus? But it's even more complicated
than that. You are a unique individual with a unique medical history that affects
your chance of having a baby. That is why any calculation requires additional
information, such as: duration of infertility, severity of infertility, your age, and a
host of other factors. (Georgia Reproductive Specialists)

However, there is a national average success rate:

The national "success rate" of a single attempt of in vitro fertilization (IVF) is
16.8%. Only one out of three or four unborn children survive in a given cycle of
in vitro fertilization; that is, about 28.6% (i.e., 1/3.5). Since the success of an
average cycle is 16.8%, it means that only 4.8% (i.e., 28.6% x 16.8%) of the
babies actually survive. This means that fewer than one in twenty unborn children
survive the process. (Kahlenborn)

Out of the In Vitro Fertilization babies born, 50% are singletons, 24% are twins, and 5%
are triplets or more. (American Society for Reproductive Medicine)

In Vitro Fertilization sounds like a great new technology for infertile couples to
conceive and have the children they�ve always desired. Unfortunately, there are many morale and
ethical issues involved with the procedure.

As already stated parents have the option to have a Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis
done on the embryos. �Scientists think that 99.9 percent of your genes perfectly match those of
the person sitting besides you. But the remaining 0.1 percent of your genes vary� (Brown 51).
Even if 0.1 percent of your genes has a �flaw,� causing a child to have a major genetic defect,
the embryo is destroyed or thrown out, or as other�s would say, the unborn child is aborted.

This raises the question, �When does life began?� Some believe life begins at conception, others
say it�s not until the unborn child actually looks like a human being, that it is alive, while others
believe life doesn�t began until the child is born and takes it�s first breath.

Other issues involved with Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis is that within a few year we
will have the technology to alter genes (Friend, and Stoughton 46). Embryos will not only be
screened for genetic defects, but physical traits as well. The parents will decide whether they
want a boy or a girl, or what color of eyes and hair they want their child to have, and the doctor
will be able to alter the genes accordingly. The question this arises is, �Are we playing God?�
Are we on the slippery slope to becoming a modern day Hitler, trying to create the perfect race,
no matter the cost, even if millions of lives are killed in the process? Will we become a world so
obsessed with genetic perfection, that if you are less then perfect, you�ll be considered lower
class, or worse yet destroyed?

Another issue that arrives in In Vitro Fertilization is that after In Vitro Fertilization is
performed on a women, the left over embryos are frozen so that if the women doesn�t get
pregnant on a cycle of In Vitro Fertilization she can use the extra embryo�s later for another
attempt. However, 20-30% die in the freezing and thawing process (Sher, Davis, and Stoess
170). This bring up the question again, �When does life began?�

The other dilemma, is what happens to the remaining frozen embryos if the couple
conceives and decides not to have any more children? There are various options. They could
keep the embryos frozen. They could be destroyed, or they could donate the embryos to another
infertile couple. Another possibility that they may have in the future is to donate the embryo�s to
research.

Just recently, August 2001, President Bush announced �[The] government would fund
embryonic stem-cell research using only existing cell lines.� (D�Agnese 57)

Dr. Jeffery Rakoff, Director of The Fertility Center at Scripps Clinic stated:

He is exploring the possibility that "nonviable" embryos could be a source of
useable stem cells, an option that might generate less controversy. As part of the in
vitro fertilization process, many embryos are routinely discarded that doctors judge
to be flawed and unable to grow into a baby, or nonviable. Under a microscope
the doctors can tell that cells in those embryos have stopped dividing and are
starting to die.
But it may be possible to remove still-viable stem cells from the core of those
flawed embryos, just as organs can be removed for transplant right after a person
has died. (Duerksen)

With all these morale and ethical dilemma�s one can conclude that we have reached the age
of Frankenstein Ethics.

Of course the book by Mary Shelly Frankenstein is fiction, but people around Mary
Shelly�s time probably never imagined that such possibilities would one day be true; to create
human life outside the natural means.

Victor Frankenstein, the main character, and the creator of the monster, is obsessed with
the human body. He wants to become like God and create men who will worship him. Just
like In Vitro Fertilization, man wants to become like God, and then kick Him out of the picture
when we don�t need Him anymore to perform miracles, like the miracle of a human life.

Victor Frankenstein also wanted to conquer death by making the perfect human being:
No one can conceive the variety of feelings which bore me onwards, like a
hurricane, in the first enthusiasm of success. Life and death appeared to me ideal
bounds, which I should first break through, and pour a torrent of light into our
dark world. A new species would bless me as it�s creator and source; many happy
and excellent natures would owe their being to me. No father could claim the
gratitude of his child so completely as I should deserve theirs. Pursuing these
reflections, I thought, that if I could bestow animation upon lifeless matter, I might
in process of time (although I now found it impossible) renew life where death had
apparently devoted the body to corruption. (32)

With Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis we will try to eliminate diseases that cause death,
making us believe there are no consequences to our actions (Romans 6:23).

Ultimately, in the end, Frankenstein wanted to kill the monster he had created. Even today
the people that have given human life have destroyed it by destroying the frozen embryos
they feel are no longer needed.

There are no Bible verses specifically on In Vitro Fertilization, because In Vitro
Fertilization was not around back in the Biblical times, but we can gleam light on this situation
from Biblical truths.

Number one, God said to humankind, �Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth
and subdue it� (Genesis 1:28). In general, married couples, if so desired, are to give life and fill
the earth with children. Infertile couples are incapable of this, unless they use some new
technology where they can conceive outside the natural means, like In Vitro Fertilization.

But, we also see in scripture that God could close up the women�s womb, like in 1 Samuel
1:5-20:

. . .and the Lord had closed [Hannah�s] womb. And because the Lord had closed
her womb . . . Now Eli the priest was sitting on a chair by the doorpost of the
Lord's temple. In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the Lord .
And she made a vow, saying, "O Lord Almighty, if you will only look upon your
servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son,
then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever
be used on his head." As she kept on praying to the Lord , Eli observed her
mouth. Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice
was not heard . . . Eli answered, "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant
you what you have asked of him." . . . Early the next morning they [Elkanah and
Hannah] arose and worshipped before the Lord and then went back to their home
at Ramah. Elkanah lay with Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her. So in
the course of time Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him
Samuel, saying, "Because I asked the Lord for him."

Though one may not know why the Lord has caused them to be infertile, there is a reason
behind it and if one prays and is faithful, maybe the Lord will answer the desires of ones heart to
have children.

Maybe In Vitro Fertilization is an answer to prayer, but we as humans have flawed it,
by aborting innocent unborn children. If we read the scriptures carefully we see that life does
began at conception as Psalm 139: 13-16 says:

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

God knew us even before we were conceived. He had a purpose for our life, we were
somebody of value and worth even before we were conceived and God has commanded us in
Exodus 20:13, �You shall not murder.�

Last but not least, we are all made in God�s image (Genesis 1:27) and when we try to alter
that by Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis, we aren�t being created in God�s image, but man�s
image.

So what are the cost and benefits of In Vitro Fertilization?
The number one benefit of In Vitro Fertilization, is that couples who are infertile can
realize their dreams of having their own children, and being parents. However there are those who
believe �There is divine wisdom in liking the loving embrace of husband and wife with the act of
procreation� (Jersild). This is lost with In Vitro Fertilization.

Secondly, should In Vitro Fertilization have a high priority? Is child-bearing more
important then child-rearing? Why can�t a couple adopt and love a child as if it was their own
flesh and blood? It gives infertile couples the same opportunity to have kids, and be parents,
without the morale and ethical issues.

An Other things that could be considered beneficial is that with Preimplantation Genetic
Diagnosis, it gives the couple a healthy, normal baby. However, we destroy human life because it
doesn�t fit our code of being perfect.

In the future will In Vitro Fertilization be further abused? Will anybody , including gay
couples, be able to conceive a child if they so desire?

In my conclusion, based on my research of In Vitro Fertilization, I believe that In Vitro
Fertilization in and of itself is not wrong. There�s no reason why In Vitro Fertilization couldn�t be
used as an answer to prayer for those who are infertile. However, I do not agree with some of the
procedures involved with In Vitro Fertilization. When the doctors take the 20-40 eggs from the
female I believe they shouldn�t fertilize all the eggs at once. I believe they should only fertilize
five, at most, for each In Vitro Fertilization procedure, so there are no left over embryos to be
put in the freezer where they have a high chance of dieing. However, they can take the extra eggs
that were not fertilized and freeze those for later use, if needed, because just eggs alone are not
human beings.

Second of all, I don�t agree with Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis at all. In my eyes it is
murder. As Psalm 139 states, life begins at conception. I also don�t agree with genetic engineering
of human beings. Each person is beautiful in God�s eye, regardless of the skin, eye or hair color.
God made each person a specific way, for a certain reason, and it�s not man�s place to say who is
fit to live. As 1 Samuel 16:7 says, �Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at
the heart.�

Yes, being infertile must be hard if you desire to have children. In Vitro Fertilization can
be a blessing; however, it can be a curse if it is not used properly. As the Bible states in
Luke 12:48, �. . .From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the
one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.� God has allowed us the
technology of In Vitro Fertilization , but we must be wise with what He has given us. Yes, He
told us to multiply and increase in number, but we must not kill innocent human beings in the
process. We can�t just follow one command; we�ve got to follow them all.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
American Society for Reproductive Medicine. 2002. Fact Sheet: In Vitro Fertilization (IVF).
7 January 2003 <http://www.asrm.org/Patients/FactSheets/invitro.html>.

Brown, Kathryn. �The Human Genome Business Today.� Scientific American July 2002: 50+.

D�Agnese, Joseph. �The Debate Over Stem Cells Gets Hot.� Discover January 2002: 56-57.

Duerksen, Susan. �Embryo Left From In Vitro Work Remain Ethical Issue for Couples.�
SignonSanDiego.com .11 August 2001. 7 January 2003
<http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/science/20010811-9999_lnllembryo.htm>.

Georgia Reproductive Specialists. 2002. �Success Rates� 7 January 2002.
<http://www.ivf.com/success.html>.

Greenfield, Marjorie, MD. �The Cost of In Vitro Fertilization.� online posting. 28 February
2002. Dr. Spock: Ask Our Experts. 7 January 2003 <http://www.drspock.com/faq/0,1511,10434,00.html>.

Jersild, Paul t. �Procreation Ethics Series: In Vitro Fertilization.� Journal of Lutheran Ethics:
28 December 2002. <http://www.elca.org/jle/alc_lca/alc_lca.procreation_ethics_in_vitro_fertilization.html>.

Kahlenborn, Chris, MD. �Article Fertilization and the Christian Response.� American Life League
28 December 2003 <http://www.all.org/about/ivf_ck.htm>.

Preimplantation Genetics. Shady Grove Fertility Reproductive Science Center. 28 December 2002
<http://www.pgdcenter.com/sub/IVF1.html>.

Shelly, Mary. Frankenstein. New York: Dover Publications, Inc., 1994.

Sher, Geoffrey, MD, Virginia Marriage Davis, RN, MN, and Jean Stoess, MA. In Vitro
Fertilization: The ARt of Making Babies. New York: Facts on File, Inc., 1995.

Silber, Sherman J, MD. How to Get Pregnant With the New Technology. New York: Warner
Books, Inc., 1991.

In Vitro Fertilization
by Jennifer Osterlund

I wrote this research paper my Senior year of High School. I posted it on this website to help others make an informed decision about IVF.