For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. (John 6:33)
I received the following question last week, and, even though this is not the kind of question I typically respond to, I thought I should at least make an effort to give an answer. The inquirer asked:
Is Artificial Insemination right or wrong? Are there scriptures that can be used to either support or be against it? As Africa is working on catching up with the west, these are some of the Issues so foreign in our culture, but we have to deal with, much more deal with rightly especially for those who profess to be followers of Christ.
Although this individual asked specifically about artificial insemination, there are several methods for treating infertility problems. The writer seemed concerned for those who are followers of Christ, so my response assumed the context of a married, heterosexual, couple. There are moral issues for homosexual couples using these methods to produce children that I do not care to address since I have covered those matters in previous posts. [1],[2],[3],[4] Therefore, my response addresses Christian concerns.
The most common method of artificial fertilization is intrauterine insemination. This method takes sperm from the husband, by a variety of means, and injects it into the wife’s uterus when she is ovulating. Except for the fact that this circumvents God’s design for childbearing, the redeeming factor is that the couple is husband and wife. Sometimes, for one reason or another, the husband cannot produce sperm. In this case, the couple may be tempted to find a sperm donor. Finding a donor who is not the husband, I think, goes far beyond the will of God, as I will explain later.
The Bible does not have anything to say about artificial fertilization. Obviously, such techniques did not exist when the Bible was written. However, there are principles taught in the Bible that should guide the believer (through the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit) in determining what is right or wrong about this procedure. Ultimately, it is a matter of conscience for the individuals undergoing the procedure.
A second method of artificial fertilization is in vitro fertilization. This method takes ovum from the wife, and the technicians inject them with sperm from the husband resulting in several fertilized eggs – zygotes. This procedure is often used because, for one reason or another, the wife has trouble getting pregnant. The technicians then place the fertilized eggs in the mother’s uterus in hopes that at least one will “take.”
Some things a Christian couple should think about when considering undergoing any of these procedures. (1) The Bible repeatedly asserts that God is the One who gives life. Only God gives life, so the life resulting from artificial fertilization is God-given albeit through human intervention. Humans cannot give or create life – only God does that. (2) Often, in the process of in vitro fertilization, extra embryos are created in the procedure for use at a later time, if the first attempt fails. Sometimes the procedure results in multiple births. Often, not all of the embryos resulting from the procedure are used, and the question arises of what to do with the unused embryos. At some point, someone must decide what to do with the remaining embryos – either keep them or destroy them. Here is where the real problem arises. Those embryos are tiny, not-fully-formed yet 100%, human beings. They are life that God has created; therefore, only God has the right to take that life. When that life is destroyed by man, the act, from God’s perspective, is murder (Genesis 9:5-6; Exodus 20:13).
From my perspective, the problem of infertility should be left to God. We have many examples in Scripture where couples were infertile for many years until the time God chose, so that He might be glorified. Some examples are Abraham and Sara (Genesis 21), Isaac and Rebekah (Genesis 25:21), Jacob and Rachel (Genesis 30), Manoah and wife (parents of Samson – Judges 13), the Shunammite woman and her husband (2 Kings 4), Zacharias and Elisabeth (parents of John the Baptist – Luke 1:5-25). Therefore, I think it best to leave the matter in God’s hands. He is the One that “gives” children (Psalm 127:3). He has His reasons for giving or withholding children from a couple, and ultimately, He knows best.
I do not believe that we should meddle in God’s business. However, a Christian couple struggling with infertility needs to take the matter before the Lord before making such a serious, life-altering decision. Remember the trouble that resulted when Abraham and Sara tried to help God out by using Hagar to produce an heir. The problems from that failed plan plague Israel to this very day! Rachel tried to solve her infertility problem by giving her handmaid to Jacob, then Leah followed suit and did the same. When we examine Jacob’s life, it is anything but blissful! Things usually do not turn out well when we presume to help God out in matters that rightly belong to Him. It is always best to leave such things up to God. God has His reason for blessing some couples with children and not blessing others. The matter is best left to His discretion.
Notes:
[1] “Born Gay” https://erniecarrasco.com/2018/07/15/born-gay/
[2] “Reclaiming the Rainbow” https://erniecarrasco.com/2017/07/23/reclaiming-the-rainbow/
[3] “The Rainbow” https://erniecarrasco.com/2015/07/05/the-rainbow/
[4] “Adam & Steve or Bev & Eve?” https://erniecarrasco.com/2015/05/03/adam-steve-or-bev-eve/
Ernie's Musings 
This is a great post, Ernie. But I’m sure many young couples, believers and unbelievers will have difficulty taking their hands off and leaving the results to God. This is an area we all struggle with…taking our hands off the situation and seeking God’s will, then learning to “wait on the Lord.” But this all takes time…a commodity millennial’s seem to lack. And their impatience often leaves them trapped in the consequences of their own impulsive decisions.
Thank you, DiAne. You are certainly right about that. Thank God that He is a God of grace and allows for our own willfulness even though that may not be His best plan for us.
So – synchronize “This method takes sperm from the husband, by a variety of means, and injects it into the wife’s uterus” with Genesis 38:9. That seems to indicate, to me at least, that EXsemination should not be by any artificial, or non-life-potential means.
Good point!
Truly a difficult arena. Such an intimate, personal area. It is indeed, very difficult to “let go and let God” take care of this. I know from personal experience, as my wife suffered from infertility so we tried artificial insemination, unsuccessfully, prior to our two adoptions. Scripturally, I agree that it is likely that God, as the author of life, might choose to have some who are freed of the responsibilities of childrearing, in order that they might serve him in some other time-demanding area. But the urge to be a mother is so intense that many women cannot rest until they have tried everything possible. So while I do not personally believe it is a sin to use artificial insemination to “be fruitful and multiply”, I think it should be an issue or intense personal prayer. Listening and waiting is often the hardest thing.
Thank you for your comment. I can certainly relate as my wife and I went through the same struggle. I hope that I in no way came across as denouncing the practice as “sinful” – only that sometimes it’s best to just leave it to the Author of life. As for adoption, I know of several couples who could not conceive so they opted to adopt. Then, after the adoption, God gave them children from their own bodies. In all things, for believers, Romans 8:28 is always true. My wife and I never had children together. The two boys I had from a failed marriage are heartache enough.