In Vitro? No, Not Licit

Let me begin with the Catechism...

 2376 Techniques that entail the dissociation of husband and wife, by the intrusion of a person other than the couple (donation of sperm or ovum, surrogate uterus), are gravely immoral. These techniques (heterologous artificial insemination and fertilization) infringe the child's right to be born of a father and mother known to him and bound to each other by marriage. They betray the spouses' "right to become a father and a mother only through each other."166

  

 2377 Techniques involving only the married couple (homologous artificial insemination and fertilization) are perhaps less reprehensible, yet remain morally unacceptable. They dissociate the sexual act from the procreative act. The act which brings the child into existence is no longer an act by which two persons give themselves to one another, but one that "entrusts the life and identity of the embryo into the power of doctors and biologists and establishes the domination of technology over the origin and destiny of the human person. Such a relationship of domination is in itself contrary to the dignity and equality that must be common to parents and children."167 "Under the moral aspect procreation is deprived of its proper perfection when it is not willed as the fruit of the conjugal act, that is to say, of the specific act of the spouses' union .... Only respect for the link between the meanings of the conjugal act and respect for the unity of the human being make possible procreation in conformity with the dignity of the person."168   (Catechism of the Catholic church)

Just so there are no misunderstandings, the Catholic Church does not condone artificial insemination and fertilization. When I mention this to people, I usually get the "duh, really?" expression. Well, the answer is really!

It is quite understandable that fellow Catholics desire to have children, and I am among those people; however, the nature of our lives is not dictated by our wants and desires. In fact, we are still required to live by a code of morality and being Catholic that morality is understood through the Church. I have heard some argue that they are married and it is their desire to have children that has moved them to this, but what must be understood is that this method of conception is not in-line with human dignity and sexuality; further, there are alternatives for people who desire children such as adoption, and it is true that the task may be time consuming but things are not always done in our time.

As far as artificial insemination/fertilization being used within marriage, the Congregation For the Doctrine of Faith has written on the matter. Here is an excerpt from Donum Vitae:

8. THE SUFFERING CAUSED BY INFERTILITY IN MARRIAGE 

The suffering of spouses who cannot have children or who are afraid of bringing a handicapped child into the world is a suffering that everyone must understand and properly evaluate. 

On the part of the spouses, the desire for a child is natural: it expresses the vocation to fatherhood and motherhood inscribed in conjugal love. This desire can be even stronger if the couple is affected by sterility which appears incurable. Nevertheless, marriage does not confer upon the spouses the right to have a child, but only the right to perform those natural acts which are per se ordered to procreation.(57) A true and proper right to a child would be contrary to the child's dignity and nature. The child is not an object to which one has a right, nor can he be considered as an object of ownership: rather, a child is a gift, "the supreme gift" (58) and the most gratuitous gift of marriage, and is a living testimony of the mutual giving of his parents. For this reason, the child has the right, as already mentioned, to be the fruit of the specific act of the conjugal love of his parents; and he also has the right to be respected as a person from the moment of his conception. 

Nevertheless, whatever its cause or prognosis, sterility is certainly a difficult trial. The community of believers is called to shed light upon and support the suffering of those who are unable to fulfill their legitimate aspiration to motherhood and fatherhood. Spouses who find themselves in this sad situation are called to find in it an opportunity for sharing in a particular way in the Lord's Cross, the source of spiritual fruitfulness. Sterile couples must not forget that "even when procreation is not possible, conjugal life does not for this reason lose its value. Physical sterility in fact can be for spouses the occasion for other important services to the life of the human person, for example, adoption, various forms of educational work, and assistance to other families and to poor or handicapped children".(59) Many researchers are engaged in the fight against sterility. While fully safeguarding the dignity of human procreation, some have achieved results which previously seemed unattainable. Scientists therefore are to be encouraged to continue their research with the aim of preventing the causes of sterility and of being able to remedy them so that sterile couples will be able to procreate in full respect for their own personal dignity and that of the child to be born.

Donum Vitae actually possesses a great wealth of information on the topic, and was written by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI, and is well worth a read. Additionally, it brings to mind the other serious issues that may come of the process to include the death of embryos.

Usually in the process of in vitro fertilization, a number of eggs are forced to be dispelled at once. They are fertilized and later inserted in the uterus, but those which are not used are stored away cryogenically, disposed of, or donated to research. Either way, the death of fertilized embryo in this manner is tantamount to abortion; hence, the killing of an innocent. This further adds to the unethical dilemmas which surround this procedure. Therefore, an ethical Catholic will not take part in such methods of reproduction.

There are many more church documents to support my contentions, but I believe I have made my point clear using the Catechism of the Catholic Church and Donum Vitae. It is with this that I reiterate that artificial insemination and in vitro fertilization are not licit for Catholics and are unethical to anyone in our state in life. It leads one to a sinful act in which they degrade the human condition and belittle human sexuality; further, they will attempt to transgress God's laws in preference to their own personal desires. Therefore, Catholics are reminded that these acts are indeed sinful and to seek other means to either build a family and/or find fullness in God.

For some information on Fertility Issues and Natural Procreative Technology, please visit: The Pope Paul VI Institute

Pax tecum.