Reproductive technologies

The anguish of childlessness that many married couples face is real, and elicits a compassionate response from those who are in the helping professions. That response includes understanding, counseling, and the provision of specialized services and procedures that may be helpful in eliminating impediments to fertility.

Assisted reproduction technology today provides solutions to infertility for many couples, but it also opens doors to techniques, some of which are clouded in ethical uncertainties. Its use raises questions in the light of theological premises and is potentially dangerous to the sanctity and dignity of human life. Accordingly, it is right for would-be parents to consider the interest of the child as even more important than their own. With an array of possibilities for assistance, or interference, in the sacred act of procreation, human knowledge and skill must be matched with a deep sense of responsibility and reverence for life.

ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION BY HUSBAND (AIH)

The Salvation Army recognizes artificial insemination, in which the husband's sperm is introduced into the uterus of his wife, as an acceptable procedure to assist the married couple to conceive after natural methods have been unsuccessful and within the context of a stable marriage.

ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION BY DONOR (AID)

For some married couples AIH will be unsuccessful and the deep desire to have a child may lead the husband and wife to consider the option of artificial insemination by a donor. The Salvation Army advises against this procedure because of the serious legal, ethical, moral, and social implications that may adversely affect the couple, the donor, the child, and society at large.

IN VITRO FERTILIZATION – HUSBAND AND WIFE

The Salvation Army recognizes that for married couples who are unsuccessful in conceiving through normal copulation or AIH, in vitro fertilization (IVF) may be considered, using the ova and sperm of the wife and husband.

The Army recommends that couples considering such a procedure be counseled and given a full explanation of the procedure itself, the risks, and potential consequences, including the ethical issues surrounding the procedure (for example, the creation and treatment of multiple fertilized ova). This counseling ought to include alternatives to IVF, such as childlessness, adoption, and foster parenting.

IN VITRO FERTILIZATION — INTRACELLULAR CYTOPLASMIC SPERM INJECTION (ICSI)

The Salvation Army recognizes ICSI as an initial step toward in vitro fertilization. ICSI may be considered, using the ova and sperm of the wife and husband.

IN VITRO FERTILIZATION – THIRD-PARTY DONOR

Many of the problems associated with AID apply equally to in vitro fertilization in which a third-party donor is involved. The Salvation Army advises against IVF in which donor-sperm and/or donor-ova are used.

SURROGATE MOTHERHOOD

The Salvation Army advises against surrogate motherhood. It is fraught with legal complications and deep psychological forces that can scar for life. It is in conflict with a concern for supporting and promoting stable family life, and it infringes on the marriage relationship.

SUMMARY

Artificial insemination and in vitro fertilization are acceptable when the sperm and ova of a husband and wife are used. The Salvation Army strongly advises against the use of donors because of theological, legal, moral, social, psychological, and ethical complications and implications.

There are no easy answers to the many and complex issues surrounding the use of human assisted reproductive technologies. The Salvation Army will welcome further progress and increased ethical wisdom in these fields. Always seeking the best for human beings, the Army will remain true to the biblical principles of the value of every person (including the child), the sanctity of marriage, and submission to God's will.