In vitro fertilization is not specifically addressed in the Bible, but God values all human life, including embryos, so they must be treated ethically. Christians considering IVF should prayerfully seek God’s guidance, uphold the sanctity of life, and approach the process with patience and trust in His perfect plan.
The Bible does not specifically address the topic of in vitro fertilization, but it does make clear that God values every human life, born and unborn. In vitro fertilization is the process of fertilizing an egg outside a woman’s body and then implanting it in her uterus at a good time within her cycle with the goal of achieving pregnancy. For many infertile couples and unmarried women, in vitro fertilization sounds like a Godsend. Harvesting a woman’s eggs , fertilizing those eggs, and implanting them is not unbiblical. There is nothing unbiblical about those eggs not implanting and resulting in a full-term pregnancy. But there are a few major issues with in vitro fertilization that must be taken into consideration. For example, in vitro fertilization involves creating many embryos, which are individual human lives. If all the embryos are not implanted, they are generally destroyed. The Bible speaks very clearly about the taking of innocent human life as being murder. So, we should understand the destruction of any leftover embryos as being equal to murder. At the same time, there are ways to handle the leftover eggs without the destruction of the unused embryos. In vitro fertilization should always be approached by couples in a prayerful, patient manner.
Struggling with infertility can be a deeply emotional and spiritual challenge, and considering in vitro fertilization (IVF) involves many complex decisions. Christians are called to approach such decisions prayerfully, seeking God’s wisdom and guidance (Romans 12:2). We must uphold the value of every life, including embryos, as precious in God’s sight (Psalm 139:13-16). This may mean exploring ethical approaches to IVF that align with God’s design, such as ensuring no embryos are discarded or left unused. Patience and trust in God’s timing are also crucial (Galatians 5:22), as His plans for our lives are good and perfect (Jeremiah 29:11). While the desire for parenthood is a beautiful longing, seeking God’s will above all ensures that our decisions honor Him and reflect His love for every human life.