Assisted Reproductive Technologies and World Religions: Implications for Couples Therapy

Abstract

Increasing numbers of couples struggle with infertility. Couples debating whether or not to utilize assisted reproductive technologies (ART) face many difficult decisions. These decisions can be influenced by religious values and ideologies. The purpose of this article is threefold: to (a) review the ethical choices that couples face when deciding whether or not to use ART; (b) review the stated ideologies of Judaism, Catholicism, Protestantism, and Islam in regards to ART; and (c) discuss how knowledge of ethical choices and religious ideologies concerning ART can assist marriage and family therapists who work with couples facing infidelity.

Ethics and Oncofertility: A Call for Religious Sensitivity

“…32 Some Protestants hold that an embryo is not a person until 14 days after fertilization, thereby allowing unused embryos to be discarded. 48 Others argue that life begins at conception, and the question of what to do with unused embryos, including embryonic donation, is controversial. 48 Accordingly, mainline and evangelic Protestant patients may also find it meaningful to speak with a trusted and knowledgeable person from their church about the religious and moral meaning of fertility preservation choices.…”

“…However, opinions and practices regarding third-party reproduction (use of donor gametes) and surrogacy differ between the two major branches of Islam: Sunni and Shi'ite. 48 Sunni Muslims prohibit third-party reproduction as a violation of marriage and kinship. Shi'ite communities disagree on this issue.…”

“…A third Shi'ite community prohibits third-party reproduction. 40,48,50 Therefore, for Muslim patients, religious sensitivity may entail respect for their views on third-party reproduction.…”