When faced with infertility, Christians who believe life begins at or around conception must wrestle with weighty questions: How do you build a family in a way that conforms with your beliefs? Is in vitro fertilization an ethical option, especially if it creates more embryos than a couple can use?Sam Earle, left, and his wife, Tori, pose with their daughter, Novalie, outside the Heritage Baptist Church Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Lakeland, Fla. Novalie was born through an embryo adoption.
“I’m both pro-family and pro-life,” he said. “But just because we can do something, it doesn’t mean we should.”Kelly and Alex Pelsor of Indianapolis turned to a fertility specialist after trying to have children naturally for two years. Doctors said her best chance for a baby was through IVF, which accounts for around 2% of births in the U.S.
“I truly believe she’s a miracle from God,” said Pelsor, who works for a nonprofit that includes a nondenominational church. “She would not be here without IVF.” “There’s a large educational component to this, both I think within the church, and maybe even within the medical community, to make sure that people are aware of what all is encompassed in IVF.”
Religious scholars say the IVF issue is largely under-explored among evangelical Protestants, who lack the clear position against the procedure taken by the Catholic Church . For the Walkers, Snowflakes offered a perfect chance to support life and help others. They chose an open adoption that allowed them to pick and get to know the family that would be adopting their embryos.
“God can use everything to His glory,” said Sam Earle, 30. “There’s certainly an aspect that you consider with IVF: the ethics of freezing more embryos than you need. … But for families who struggle with infertility, it’s a beautiful opportunity.”Amanda and Ryan Visser of Sterling, Colorado, feel the same way. When they faced infertility after having a child naturally 14 years ago, they were uncomfortable about IVF. “At some point,” Ryan said, “you feel like you’re playing God too much.