Solving the problem of infertility among Christians: A bioethical appraisal

Abstract

Infertility has become a terrible cankerworm destroying the joy of many couples the world over. Among Christians, this issue has grown to a monumental level so that many Christian couples question God's power and ability. Today many Christian couples could do anything either good or bad to have children. This paper therefore examines some of the various biomedical approaches through which the problem of infertility could be solved among Christians such as artificial womb, artificial insemination, surrogacy, in-vitro fertilization and sperm and egg donation. The paper recommends, among others, that every Christian couple should know that God is the giver of children and look up to Him for direction and not plunge themselves into acts that they will regret about in the future.

Reproductive Technology: A Critical Analysis of Theological Responses in Christianity and Islam

“…The ethical debate over surrogacy has taken on another dimension in recent years as a result of another device or process that would allow a fetus to develop to maturity without having to spend any time inside the body of a woman; it is called ectogenesis—“external origin” or “outside creation” (Coleman , 2). Medically, it is regarded as another step in overcoming infertility in the case of a woman with a damaged or diseased womb to be able to conceive to term (Ekeke and Uchegbue , 201–08). Additionally, ectogenesis greatly reduces the likelihood of a premature infant's dying when the infant can be transferred to an artificial womb to complete its growth.…”

“…Additionally, ectogenesis greatly reduces the likelihood of a premature infant's dying when the infant can be transferred to an artificial womb to complete its growth. There are also other medical considerations, such as overcoming the various risks of diseases, miscarriages, drug problems, pollutants, genetic disorders, and inadequate nutrition by depositing the fetus into an artificial womb (Ekeke and Uchegbue , 201–08).…”