Recently, the North Dakota state legislature discussed several bills that address medical reproduction-practices, including invitro fertilization (IVF). Pres. Trump later issued an executive order related to the same.
All this to say, a more open, robust discussion is happening about reproduction-enhancement techniques locally and nationally, and it’s long overdue.
In the process, a Pandora’s box has been opened. Along with the beautiful ends sought by these procedures — new life — some of the ugly truths of the medically prompted creation of life are coming to light.
Before I wade further into this emotionally charged topic, let me be clear: this isn’t about past actions, but urging thoughtful discourse about future actions, since we failed to do that on the front end.
As is so often the case in our world of fast-moving technologies, we said, “We can!” before asking, “But should we?” This is the task of the moral mind: to move slowly, lest unintended consequences come to bite us.
The same is true of other modern dilemmas. For example, surgeries for those struggling with gender dysphoria. It became possible to surgically “transition” a person, and so we forged ahead, not considering the damage that could be incurred. We’re only beginning to peek under those covers as well.
Regarding IVF, when one researches the truth of this practice, several dark underpinnings surface: eugenics, a money-making machine and the destruction of human lives.
The human beings that result from these techniques are just as unique, irreplaceable and unrepeatable as those who were created by a man and woman through natural means of procreation. God’s love for every human being that exists is indisputable.
However, the means by which these medical interventions happen often involve immoral actions and outcomes that are not easily seen when the bright promise of a child is presented.
That is a really hard thing to acknowledge, and it will be triggering for many. The desire for children is one of the strongest yearnings of the human heart. An old camp song comes to mind: “It’s love that makes the world go round.” But we’re not being fair to ourselves if, in our quest to fulfill our deepest desires, we do not consider the implications.
My Matters of Soul Importance podcast episodes on Feb. 21 and, soon, March 21, discuss this further.
Recently, I came across a quote attributed to St. Bernadette Soubirous: “My job is to inform, not to convince.” I’m with St. Bernadette on this and other issues on which I’ve stood strongly. My job is simply to inform.
For too long, we’ve ignored the dangers and devastation of practices like IVF. The sacred act of bringing children into the world is too important to just duck the hard truths. Since we didn’t ask enough of those questions as these capabilities transpired, it’s good we’re asking them now.
Among the most important: What lengths are we willing to go to satisfy our desires? Are we willing to destroy some children in order to have others we want?
[For the sake of having a repository for my newspaper columns and articles, I reprint them here, with permission, a week after their run date. The preceding ran in The Forum newspaper on March 2, 2025.]
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