However, the Church of England disagree, saying that the benefits of experimentation on human embryos outweighs the potential danger, as diseases such as Parkinson’s or cystic fibrosis could be cured. They agree with the H that embryos up to 14 days old can be used, but embryos should not be made solely for scientific research. They believe that perhaps human discovery and intervention can also be thought of as resulting from the exercise of God-given powers of mind and reason. Some think that these powers are part of what it means to be made in the “image of God” as it says in Genesis 1:26. The Baptist Church agrees that technology is a “gift from God” but they say it can be abused, which the Church of England support, saying that just because science means new methods can be used, doesn’t mean whatever can be done should be done. However the Roman Catholic disagrees with these churches regarding research on embryos, saying that “No object even though noble in itself, such as a foreseeable advantage to science, to other human beings, or to society can in anyway justify experimenting on living human embryos, either inside or outside of the mother’s womb,” Pope John Paul II.
“I chose you before I gave you life, and before you were born,” Jeremiah 1:5. This passage emphasises that God gives life and he plans it before the child is born, and God knows about the child before its birth. Therefore this passage could be said to be opposing fertility treatments that enable infertile couple to have a child, as some Christians believe that perhaps the couple’s infertility is part of God’s plan, and that Children and a gift from God that he would give if that was his will. Children are not a right. “The Lord gave and now he has taken away. May his name be praised,” Job 1:21, this passage supports the belief that it should be God’s will for a couple to have a child, as life is a gift from God.
Roman Catholics believe that fertility treatments such as AID are unacceptable, as any conception of a child involving a donor sperm or egg bring a third adult into the marriage, which is seen as “mechanical adultery.” In Exodus 20 it says, “You shall not be guilty of adultery,” so Roman Catholics would see AID as a sin if adultery is committed. Some Catholics believe that the “sacrament” of marriage is affected if a couple in the hope of having children uses AID. They accept AIH because it does not introduce a third person into the marriage, but the Church of England agree with both AID and AIH as they believe that the couple may deserve a second chance to have children, as children are a gift of God and a blessing to a couple.
The Pope and the Roman Catholic Church has condemned surrogate motherhood, as it “strikes at the heart of the dignity of motherhood” Pope John Paul II and that society depends on stable and loving families, that could be threatened the introduction of a surrogate mother.
Christian attitudes to fertility treatments and the use of human embryos in scientific research are very varied and so many Christians would say that an informed “conscience is of paramount importance,” as Cardinal Basil Hume said.
