Rejection Of Artificial Procreation

Why does the Roman Catholic Church oppose artificial procreation, e.g. in-vitro fertilization and human cloning? Only recently Pope Benedict XVI once again affirmed this position.

Speaking at the end of a three-day Vatican conference on diagnosing and treating infertility, Benedict also reiterated church teaching that marriage is the only permissible place to conceive children. Matrimony “constitutes the only 'place' worthy of the call to existence of a new human being" he said.

The pope pressed the church ban against artificial procreation, saying infertile couples should refrain from any method to try to conceive other than sex between husband and wife.

This is not new teaching among Catholics. In an earlier blog I referred to this. In a document published in 1987 by the Congregation For The Doctrine Of The Faith, "Instruction On Respect For Human Life And Its Origin," we read,

This Congregation is aware of the current debates concerning the beginning of human life, concerning the individuality of the human being and concerning the identity of the human person. The Congregation recalls the teachings found in the Declaration on Procured Abortion: "From the time that the ovum is fertilized, a new life is begun which is neither that of the father nor of the mother; it is rather the life of a new human being with his own growth. It would never be made human if it were not human already. To this perpetual evidence ... modern genetic science brings valuable confirmation. It has demonstrated that, from the first instant, the programme is fixed as to what this living being will be: a man, this individual-man with his characteristic aspects already well determined. Right from fertilization is begun the adventure of a human life, and each of its great capacities requires time ... to find its place and to be in a position to act". (25) 

This teaching remains valid and is further confirmed, if confirmation were needed, by recent findings of human biological science which recognize that in the zygote* resulting from fertilization the biological identity of a new human individual is already constituted. Certainly no experimental datum can be in itself sufficient to bring us to the recognition of a spiritual soul; nevertheless, the conclusions of science regarding the human embryo provide a valuable indication for discerning by the use of reason a personal presence at the moment of this first appearance of a human life: how could a human individual not be a human person? The Magisterium has not expressly committed itself to an affirmation of a philosophical nature, but it constantly reaffirms the moral condemnation of any kind of procured abortion. This teaching has not been changed and is unchangeable.(26)

 Lutherans, on the other hand, do not seem to have the same reservations. In the document "Religious Beliefs and Healthcare Decisions" by Deborah Abbott and Paul Nelson, we read,

Artificial insemination by a husband (AIH) is not problematic among Lutherans; however, artificial insemination by a donor (AID) is cause for moral concern with the ELCA and has been rejected by the LCMS. The ALC stated, "Artificial insemination. . . in which only one of a couple (the woman in present circumstances) provides genetic material and other genetic material comes from an anonymous donor, becomes a consideration for some married couples. There are, however, such moral, emotional and legal ambiguities that must be taken into account as to render the procedure suspect for a Christian" (ALC 1980:6). 

One thing you must say about Roman Catholic teaching: it is consistent and unchangeable. Whereas Lutherans—and many others—argue back and forth among themselves about ambiguities. The question that must be addressed and affirmed by all of us who take a pro-life stance is simple: When does life begin? If "the adventure of human life" indeed begins with the union of sperm and egg . . . and "in the zygote resulting from fertilization the biological identity of a new human individual is already constituted," what more need we say? Even if you insist that IVF be confined to the ovum and sperm of the married couple, you still end up with leftover zygotes that are either destroyed or frozen. If you search for moral certainty, then you must come down on the Roman Catholic side.

There are options other than IVF. Thousands of children await adoption.