Basic Questions on Sexuality and Reproductive Technology: When is it Right to Intervene?

by Gary P. Stewart; William R. Cutrer; Timothy J. Demy; Donal O'Mathuna

and

3 more

Publisher:

Kregel

, 1998

Overview

Questions surrounding the issues of sexuality, reproduction, and infertility are some of the most personal and emotionally difficult questions that couples face. A bewildering array of modern technologies, however, challenges our most deeply held traditions concerning childbearing and parenting. Some of the questions answered in this work include:

• Is it okay for me to use a donor's egg or sperm?
• What about surrogate motherhood?
• What are the legal issues with reproductive technology?
• Is it okay to use any form of birth control?
• What about human cloning?

Contents

Top Highlights

“No genetic material is added after the moment of fertilization. Each individual, from the moment of fertilization represents an individual of tremendous worth, created in the image of God.” (Page 22)

“While people occasionally identify conception with implantation, conception (‘the beginning’) is better understood as referring to fertilization. Since all of life’s genetic machinery that makes each individual unique originates with the fertilization event, any intervention after fertilization but before implantation that destroys the new human life is an abortion, not a contraceptive method.” (Page 22)

“The more basic teaching of Scripture is the one-flesh principle, based on the declaration in Genesis that when a man leaves his family and takes a wife the two become one flesh. This principle, as the authors here understand it, allows reproductive technology that enables a husband and wife to produce offspring by assisted means but would exclude the use of donor sperm or eggs being joined with the gametes of the husband or wife.” (Page 34)

“Limits can and should be placed on the number of eggs fertilized, the number of embryos reimplanted, and the fate of frozen embryos (if this avenue is taken). In light of the special importance of embryonic life, you will want to avoid selective reduction after implantation, i.e., the destruction of extra embryos to enhance the survivability of the remaining embryos. It is similarly unacceptable to transfer so many embryos into the uterus that the likelihood of all the embryos implanting is significantly diminished. One good approach is to transfer two or three. Whether or not some of the embryos produced are to be frozen, the total number of eggs fertilized should not be higher than the number of children you are willing to have.” (Page 30)

Contributors

• Linda K. Bevington
• Paige C. Cunningham
• William R. Cutrer
• Timothy J. Demy
• John F. Kilner
• Donal P. O'Mathuna
• Gary P. Stewart

Praise for the Print Edition

...these extraordinary questions are tackled with due seriousness (they make everyone think) and yet also with accessibility (no one who thinks will be excluded). It is hard to imagine a more important set of questions or a more timely publication.

—Nigel M. de S. Cameron, Trinity International University

Product Details

• Title: Basic Questions on Sexuality and Reproductive Technology: When is it Right to Intervene?
• Publisher: Kregel
• Publication Date: 1998
• Pages: 77

About the Contributors

Linda K. Bevington, M.A., is the Project Manager for the Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity, Bannockburn, Illinois.

Paige C. Cunningham, J.D., has written numerous articles on abortion and the law; she is coauthor of the amicus brief that Justice O'Connor cited in her discussion of viability in Webster v. Reproductive Health Services.

William R. Cutrer, M.D., served for many years as an obstetrician/gynecologist specializing in the treatment of infertility. He is currently serving as the Dallas/Fort Worth Area Director for The Christian Medical and Dental Society.

Timothy J. Demy, Th.M., Th.D., is a military chaplain and coauthor and author of numerous books and articles. He is a member of the Evangelical Theological Society.

John F. Kilner, Ph.D., is Director of the Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity, Bannockburn, Illinois. He is also Professor of Bioethics and Contemporary Culture at Trinity International University, Deerfield, Illinois.

Donal P. O'Mathuna, Ph.D., is Associate Professor or Medical Ethics and Chemistry at Mount Carmel College of Nursing, Columbus, Ohio.

Gary P. Stewart, Th.M., D.Min., is a military chaplain and coauthor of numerous books and articles. He is a member of the Evangelical Theological Society.