Assisted Reproductive Technologies: Problems and Perspectives

1. Entity type Lemma
2. Original titleВспомогательные репродуктивные технологии: проблемы и перспективы
3. Language term Russian
4. lemma author Asliturk, Miriam
5. lemma category Ethics - Scientific theories and disciplines > Medicine
6. Publication date 10-08-2018
7. lemma work Ляуш, Л. Б. [Author]. Вспомогательные репродуктивные технологии: проблемы и перспективы
8. lemma manifestations Церковь и Биоэтика: Церковно-общественный совет по биомедицинской этике при Московской Патриархии.
9. Keywords in vitro fertilisation - Russian Orthodox Church - surrogacy - Medical technologies - assisted reproduction - bioethics - Catholic Church
10. Url Click Here
11. Citations
    1. <p>Ляуш, Л. Б. (2012). Вспомогательные репродуктивные технологии: проблемы и перспективы. Церковь и Биоэтика: Церковно-общественный совет по биомедицинской этике при Московской Патриархии. Retrieved from: <a href="http://bioethics.orthodoxy.ru/analitika/reproduktivnye-tekhnologii/155-">http://bioethics.orthodoxy.ru/analitika/reproduktivnye-tekhnologii/155-</a> </p>
12. Lemma body

    1. In the author's view, artificial fertilization by the sperm of a spouse is the only assisted reproductive technology that does not raise ethical issues. While the Catholic Church condemns this practice, claiming that only “natural” coition between a man and a woman can be acceptable for pregnancy, the Russian Orthodox Church does not see a problem in spouse sperm artificial fertilization because it does not violate the nature of marriage. The Russian Orthodox Church sees a problem when the donor is not the husband of the future mother. It believes that this practice can eventually lead to divorce, a marriage between siblings born from the sperm of the same donor, and promote “irresponsible fatherhood.”

       In vitro fertilization implies the killing of “excess” embryos and may cause problems to children’s health and identity issues, especially when surrogacy is used. In vitro fertilization also necessitates the use of hormones to produce multiple ovules, most of which are disposed of during various stages of the operation. The Russian Orthodox Church specifically emphasizes its negative attitude toward the destruction of “excessive” embryos.

       The author cites research on health problems that are associated with the use of vitro fertilization. These problems affect newborn babies and mothers alike. The Russian Orthodox Church believes that couples that cannot conceive should first understand the root of their problem. It believes that infertility can be caused by the absence of a religious marriage. The solution then is an Orthodox Christian marriage. If the root of the problem is different, the Russian Orthodox Church approves fertility treatments. If treatment is not successful couples should consider adoption.