Jewish ethical teachings of Bioethics - AIH, AID, IVF, Surrogacy Flashcards
Ethics
Is having children and a family encouraged?
Having children and a family is encouraged and supported in Judaism
Are reproductive technologies always used in Judaism?
Reproductive technologies not used unless absolutely necessary
Bereshit 1:28
“Be fruitful and multiply”
AIH refers to?
Artificial Insemination by Husband
What is AIH?
A procedure where a sperm sample form the husband is collected and deposited directly into the woman’s uterus.
Do all Jewish denominations support AIH?
Most, if not all denominations allow AIH
What is the main halakic concern Orthodox Jews have with AIH
They have concerns on hot the husband’s sperm is received,
In AIH, Orthodox Rabbi Jakobovits states that…
There is nothing intrinsically illegal about artificial insemination
What does AID stand for?
Artificial insemination by Donor
AID is?
A procedure where instead of the husband’s sperm sample, a donor’s sperm is deposited directly into a woman’s uterus
What is the halachic view on AID by each denomination?
- It is halachically controversial
- It is often opposed of by a majority of Orthodox Jews
- Conservative and reform Jews permit AID
What are the halachic concerns of AID
- There are concerns for possible future incest as a sperm donor could donate sperm to an endless amount of people.
- Problems regarding legitimacy
In AID, Orthodox Rabbi Zirelson considers…
AID to be adultery
In AID, Orthodox Rabbi Feinstein permits AID as…
He believes there is no adultery without intercourse
IVF refers to?
In-Vitro Fertilisation
What is the procedure of IVF?
Eggs are extracted from a woman and are fertilized outside her before being implanted into her uterus.
In IVF, there are halachic concerns on?
What is done to the unfertilised eggs as Jews believe that if they are not used it is akin to ‘wasting seed’.
What Jewish denominations accept IVF?
It is accepted by all variants of Judaism
To prevent the ‘wasting of seed’, what can be done?
The unfertilized eggs can be used for research, only if it can eventually save lives.
During IVF, why is the procedure supervised by a Rabbi
To ensure their are no mistakes or mix ups in the process
The disposal of unfertilised eggs is not considered murder as according the the Talmud…
The soul does not enter the embryo until 40 days after conception
In IVF, according the Sherman J. Silber…
“IVF is absolutely obligatory when it is medically indicated in order for a couple to have children”
What is surrogacy?
A process where a woman carried and delivers a baby to a couple or individual
What are the halachic and moral concerns with surrogacy?
- Adherents are disrupted by the ‘commodification’ of the woman’s body and reproductive process.
- There are concerns on legitimacy, as from a religious point of view, the child will belong to the father who gave the sperm and the woman who gave birth.
