Recently, many women in the world received an opportunity to become pregnant even if they have several genetic problems that were a huge barrier in this process. The technique is called In-Vitro Fertilization, and it is related to laboratory procedures. According to Crawford and Ledger, I. V. F. includes the fertilization where an egg is mixed with donor sperm in the artificial environment outside the human body (238). Professionals monitor the development of the embryo at the early stages. When positive dynamics are recorded, doctors instill the egg in the woman’s body to provide a natural environment. The process helps to ensure parents that their child will not have any genetic differences that appear with the fertilization of the egg. The process takes a lot of time and effort, and the costs are high for this procedure. Consequently, some social organization may express their discontent regarding this new technique. Using the example of church relationship to I. V. F., the paper will show different opinions, challenges, and opportunities in relation to women who are ready for this procedure.
The Church is the social place that presents many contradictions regarding the modern progress of the world, and the development of in-vitro fertilization is not an exception. This essay will present the vision of the Roman Catholic Church and will focus mostly on Polish experience. The Church teaches its followers that embryos should be respected from conception, and some leaders propose their visions for and against the concept. Polish church representatives express their views against the destruction of embryos as they are potential human beings. Even though they cannot make individual decisions, this type of killing should not be allowed (Radkowska-Walkowicz 983). Some laboratories freeze embryos for later use, but a couple can give their permission to destroy them in fourteen days.
The proposals of the Church and people’s desires are controversial in this case. The government elected by citizens of the Polish Republic tightens laws regarding the topic of children. Consequently, it is not always possible to get support from state and church leaders due to different views and beliefs. The general attitude to the in-vitro fertilization of the Catholic Church is positive, and massive arguments do not arise between religious representatives and citizens.
I agree with the idea presented by Catholic Church in Poland, and I support the idea that embryos are living creations that should be treated as already born people. Freezing, in this case, can be one of the most suitable and safe ways to protect a new life. Abandonment of an unborn child should not entail moral or legal consequences. Other parents who are struggling to have a baby should have an opportunity to refer to savings provided by different laboratories. Every decision should not be judged by the Church even though they carry different visions, and crucial support must be provided to allow people to feel freer in their societies.
In conclusion, Catholic Church has created a stable relationship with in-vitro fertilization, and they try to teach their followers to value the lives of others and those who are not born yet. Nevertheless, the propaganda is not strong, and every person has a right to make individual decisions. In the example of the Polish Church, it was explained how religious leaders think about the procedure and how specific regulations influence people.
Works Cited
Crawford, Giselle and Ledger, W. L. “In vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection beyond 2020.” An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, vol. 126, no. 2, pp. 237-243. Web.
Radkowska-Walkowicz, Magdalena. “How the political becomes private: In vitro fertilization and the Catholic Church in Poland.” Journal of Religion and Health, vol. 57, 2018, pp. 979-993.