Along with this, there is also the option of embryo donation. This is when both sperm and egg are donated and fertilised by IVF. Another option is AIH, artificial insemination by husband. AIH is when the husband’s sperm is mechanically inserted into his wife. The success rate of AIH depends largely on the cause of infertility, but it generally varies between 5 and 10% for every treatment cycle.
Similar to this is the AID option. This is when anonymously donated sperm is mechanically inserted into the mother. The treatment has been used for many years and has a high success rate of up to 8.5% per month and 40% over a six-month course of treatment.
Finally, there is surrogacy. This is when either, both the egg and sperm from husband and wife are fertilised using IVF, and then placed into another woman’s womb; or, when the husbands sperm is artificially inserted into another woman. After the birth, the child is handed over to the husband and wife.
What are the Christian and Jewish views to these treatments?
Roman Catholics believe that God intended children to be conceived as a part of sex. Therefore, they believe that all forms of embryo technology are wrong. One reason why they are against surrogacy and AID, is because the Catholics believe that a child has the right to know who it’s parents are, but with these options that is prohibited. They also believe that all forms of fertility treatment that involve the man masturbating (IVF, AIH) are wrong because that is a Catholic sin. They are against IVF because some of the woman’s eggs will get thrown away or used for other purposes, which they believe is the same as abortion. Paragraph 2376 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, shows these views very distinctly.
“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 fertilisation) 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.”
The other Christian Churches, however, do allow IVF and AIH. They believe that God would have wanted them to use the modern technology to continue civilisation and give couples the happiness of having a child, otherwise, why would he have provided them with such technology. Another reason, is that the egg and sperm are from the husband and wife. With regards to the destruction of the woman’s eggs in IVF, they believe that this is an accepted consequence of trying to produce children. All other methods of fertility treatments (AID, surrogacy), they are against because when the child is older, it could create identity problems, and lead to a whole lot of disaster. Adoption is widely encouraged by all Christians to those experiencing problems.
Having children is important to the Jewish religion. The reason for this is to preserve the Jewish faith. With nobody to pass on the teachings, beliefs and way of life, the Jewish religion would fade out. Because of this reason, all Jews believe that IVF and AIH should be available to those experiencing fertility problems. IVF is only accepted as long as both egg and sperm come from the couple, and not a donor. Jews believe that a child has the right to know who it’s natural parents are.
Orthodox Jews do not allow AID, surrogacy and IVF involving a donor. This is because of the fact that a child should be able to know where it has come from, and also they believe that the true, biological mother passes on Jewishness.
Reform Jews, who try to keep up with the ever-increasing technology of the modern world, allow all forms of fertility treatment.
Conservative Jews allow all types of fertility treatments, but they are controversial about the idea of surrogate motherhood.
