Reproduction- only take place
in marriage, between husband
and wife. IVF involves 3rd party
(doctor) therefore is wrong.
surrogacy is also wrong for
same reason
Protection of innocent life- IVF results in
destruction of spare embryos (Catholics
believe in life from conception)
also goes against
sanctity of life as spare
embryos are destroyed
Situation Ethics
approves of IVF as e.g. of
humans using 'innovation'
and tech to help
doesn't approve of
spare embryos being
destroyed as not
most loving thing
Utilitarianism
don't approve IVF because
success is so low = pain of not
being able to have child
unused embryos may be
caused pain if they have
sentience as they're destroyed
surrogacy- would giving up child be painful?
at 18 child is allowed to find donor parent
which may be distressing for family
is it fair to use resources to
help wealthy westerners have
children when people in Africa
are starving. should look at
happiness of majority and
feed starving not IVF
Categorical Imperative
(Kantian ethics)
doesn't allow IVF
universalisability- can't
universalise as not every
woman wants/needs
IVF/children
Treat people as ends-
using doctor and embryo
as means to an end
doesn't allow surrogacy
universalisability- can't
universalise as not all
women want/need
surrogate
Kant believed everyone should be
treated with respect and dignity, no
one exploited or enslaved. if pay for
surrogate baby is being treated like
property and enslaved
using surrogate
and baby as
means to an end
Church
10 years after 1st test tube baby
Pope welcomed Louise as 'unique'
and 'special' person but didn't
approve of process she came about
because:
involved playing God
used embryos are destroyed, don't
have chance at life like Louise
process of IVF doesn't show human life
dignity and respect required
Paul Ramsey
(Methodist) IVF is a
'refusal of God's image
in our own', life should
be created by husband
and wife with aid of God