In vitro fertilization and surrogate motherhood: The Jewish view

Abstract

This paper examines the legal, moral, ethical, and Jewish religious issues involved in in vitro fertilization and surrogate motherhood. Also briefly discussed are the topics of artificial insemination and sex organ transplants. Jewish views on these subjects are based on the cardinal principles that life is of infinite value, that human life is sacred, and that the divine license to heal granted to the physician carries with it certain well-defined obligations and restrictions.