Christian Attitudes to Fertility Treatment

IndexIndex VocabularyVocabulary What is IVFWhat is IVF The LawThe Law StatisticsStatistics Christianity and FertilityChristianity and Fertility WorriesWorries

Christian Attitudes to Fertility Treatment

Christian Attitudes to Fertility Treatment

VocabularyVocabulary

The LawThe Law

What is IVF?What is IVF?

StatisticsStatistics

Christianity and FertilityChristianity and Fertility

WorriesWorries


Vocabulary (1)Vocabulary (1)

FertilisationFertilisationThe union

of sperm and ovum (egg)The union

of sperm and ovum (egg)

InseminationInseminationTo introduce sperm(in)to an ovum (egg)To introduce sperm(in)to an ovum (egg)

Artificial Insemination

Artificial Insemination

Inseminationby

Artificial means

Inseminationby

Artificial means


Vocabulary (2)Vocabulary (2)

IVFIVF

AIDAID

AIHAIH

Artificial Insemination DonorArtificial Insemination Donor

In Vitro FertilisationIn Vitro Fertilisation

Artificial Insemination HusbandArtificial Insemination Husband

Test Tube BabyTest Tube Baby A baby who was conceived by Artificial Insemination

A baby who was conceived by Artificial Insemination

ICSIICSI Intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection.Intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection.


Vocabulary (3)(advanced)Vocabulary (3)(advanced)

gametegameteThe correct term for either

the sperm or the eggThe correct term for either

the sperm or the egg

zygotezygoteThe correct term for the

fertilised cellThe correct term for the

fertilised cell


What is IVF? (1)What is IVF? (1)

1. There are several different techniques, but the main process involves the women taking fertility drugs to help her produce more eggs.

2. The eggs are then harvested and fertilised in the laboratory.

3. The woman is given hormone drugs to prepare her womb to receive the fertilised eggs.

4. The fertilised eggs are placed inside the womb and a normal pregnancy follows.

1. There are several different techniques, but the main process involves the women taking fertility drugs to help her produce more eggs.

2. The eggs are then harvested and fertilised in the laboratory.

3. The woman is given hormone drugs to prepare her womb to receive the fertilised eggs.

4. The fertilised eggs are placed inside the womb and a normal pregnancy follows.

What is IVF (1)

What is IVF (1)

What is IVF(2)

What is IVF(2)

What is IVF(3)

What is IVF(3)


What is IVF? (2)What is IVF? (2)

What is IVF (1)

What is IVF (1)

What is IVF(2)

What is IVF(2)

What is IVF(3)

What is IVF(3)


What is IVF?(3)ICSI c.f.sperm being injected into an egg.

What is IVF?(3)ICSI c.f.sperm being injected into an egg.

What is IVF (1)

What is IVF (1)

What is IVF(2)

What is IVF(2)

What is IVF(3)

What is IVF(3)


The Law The Law

1990 Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act.1. You are not allowed to place a non-human

embryo inside a human.2. You are not allowed to place a human

embryo inside an animal.3. You are not allowed to place animal sperm or

egg inside a human.4. You are not allowed to keep an embryo after

the primitive streak is visible (14 days after fertilisation).

1990 Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act.1. You are not allowed to place a non-human

embryo inside a human.2. You are not allowed to place a human

embryo inside an animal.3. You are not allowed to place animal sperm or

egg inside a human.4. You are not allowed to keep an embryo after

the primitive streak is visible (14 days after fertilisation).


Statistics (1)Statistics (1)

The first British test tube baby was Louise Brown, who was born in 1978.

The first British test tube baby was Louise Brown, who was born in 1978.

IVF was developed in the 1970s. IVF was developed in the 1970s.

Around 6,000 babies a year are born in the UK to otherwise infertile couples as a result of in vitro fertilisation.

Around 6,000 babies a year are born in the UK to otherwise infertile couples as a result of in vitro fertilisation.


Statistics (2)Statistics (2)

Only 18% of IVF treatment is funded by the NHS and waiting times can differ greatly.

Only 18% of IVF treatment is funded by the NHS and waiting times can differ greatly.

It can cost up to £2,000 per cycle for a couple to go private. Most couples have three cycles at an average cost of £3,420. (2007)

It can cost up to £2,000 per cycle for a couple to go private. Most couples have three cycles at an average cost of £3,420. (2007)

IVF is only successful in 15% of cases and a recent report from the College of Health shows that success rates vary widely across the country.

IVF is only successful in 15% of cases and a recent report from the College of Health shows that success rates vary widely across the country.


Christianity and FertilityChristianity and Fertility

CatholicsCatholics MethodistsMethodists

Generally ‘Against’Generally ‘Against’ Generally ‘For’Generally ‘For’

MoreMore MoreMore


Catholics and Fertility TreatmentCatholics and Fertility Treatment

The Roman Catholic Church is opposed to in vitro fertilisation in all instances and advocates that infertility as a call from God to adopt children. It "infringes the child's right to be born of a father and mother known to him and bound to each other by marriage. Also, embryos are discarded in the process, causing them to die. Catholics and many people of other faiths see embryos as human lives with the same rights as all others and, therefore, view this procedure as always unacceptable.* (see teachers’ note under slide)

The Roman Catholic Church is opposed to in vitro fertilisation in all instances and advocates that infertility as a call from God to adopt children. It "infringes the child's right to be born of a father and mother known to him and bound to each other by marriage. Also, embryos are discarded in the process, causing them to die. Catholics and many people of other faiths see embryos as human lives with the same rights as all others and, therefore, view this procedure as always unacceptable.* (see teachers’ note under slide)


Methodists and Fertility TreatmentMethodists and Fertility Treatment

The Methodist Church has supported the scientific judgment that remedies for human infertility, and for certain genetic diseases and handicaps, would be greatly assisted if research on embryos not required for artificial insemination continues to be carried out. However, research should be restricted to the first fourteen days; in addition, embryos should not be brought into being specifically for research purposes.

The Methodist Church has supported the scientific judgment that remedies for human infertility, and for certain genetic diseases and handicaps, would be greatly assisted if research on embryos not required for artificial insemination continues to be carried out. However, research should be restricted to the first fourteen days; in addition, embryos should not be brought into being specifically for research purposes.


WorriesWorries

A possible drawback is the fact that IVF treatment increases the chance of having multiple births which the couple may not have planned for.

A possible drawback is the fact that IVF treatment increases the chance of having multiple births which the couple may not have planned for.

25% of women who undergo fertility treatment give birth to more than one child. This figure is 23% above women who do not have fertility treatment

25% of women who undergo fertility treatment give birth to more than one child. This figure is 23% above women who do not have fertility treatment

With only a 15% success rate some doctors argue that it can be a traumatic experience to go through repeated IVF attempts, only to find that the woman does not get pregnant.

With only a 15% success rate some doctors argue that it can be a traumatic experience to go through repeated IVF attempts, only to find that the woman does not get pregnant.

Documents

Christian Attitudes to Fertility Treatment