IVF
What is IVF? IVF was developed in the 1970s. The first British test tube baby was Louise Brown, who was born in 1977.
AI D
There are several different techniques, but the main process involves the women taking fertility drugs to help her produce more eggs. The eggs are fertilised in the laboratory in a test tube with a man’s sperm. Most couples have three cycles at an average cost of £3,420 to the NHS. All Christians believe that a child is unique, a gift and blessing from God. (Sanctity of Life) The Church of England teaches that life beings at about 14 days, as before this the embryo can split into more than one individual, so most protestant denominations accept IVF. Some Christians allow IVF if the married couple cannot conceive without help then they argue medical aid is allowed. Catholics do not support fertility treatment, as life starts at conception. They believe new life must be formed in entirely natural methods. To Catholics it is very important that no spare embryos are created, the egg and sperm belong to the couple and IVF/ AID are not used as a replacement for sex. “Medical research which involves the destruction of human embryos is a ‘crime against their dignity as human beings’ (The Gospel of Life, Paragraph 63). What is AIH?
AIH
This is artificial insemination by the husband. If a couple are unable to conceive naturally the husbands’ sperm and woman’s egg maybe artificially fertilized without having sex.
AIH (artificial insemination by husband) is the preferred method for most Christians because it safeguards the sanctity of marriage. Catholics and the Church of England will accept it. Christians think that since it’s the husband’s sperm and the wife’s egg that it is justifiable.
AID
What is AID?
This is artificial insemination by a donor. The woman’s egg is used but another man will donate the sperm. A recent law means that sperm donors in the UK cannot remain anonymous; this has led to a big shortage of donors in Britain.
There is disagreement among Christians as to whether AID should be allowed. Catholics believe that AID is wrong because it is like ‘mechanical’ adultery ‘Do not commit adultery.’ The Church of England also believes that AID is undesirable as it requires a donor and the ideal is from the husband’s sperm and woman’s egg, however some protestants may accept it. Read more at: http://www.cofe.anglican.org/info/socialpublic/smte.html#humanfertilisation