Jewish ethical teachings of Bioethics - AIH, AID, IVF, Surrogacy

Question 1

Is having children and a family encouraged?

Answer 1

Having children and a family is encouraged and supported in Judaism

Question 2

Are reproductive technologies always used in Judaism?

Answer 2

Reproductive technologies not used unless absolutely necessary

Question 3

Bereshit 1:28

Answer 3

“Be fruitful and multiply”

Question 4

AIH refers to?

Answer 4

Artificial Insemination by Husband

Question 5

What is AIH?

Answer 5

A procedure where a sperm sample form the husband is collected and deposited directly into the woman’s uterus.

Question 6

Do all Jewish denominations support AIH?

Answer 6

Most, if not all denominations allow AIH

Question 7

What is the main halakic concern Orthodox Jews have with AIH

Answer 7

They have concerns on hot the husband’s sperm is received,

Question 8

In AIH, Orthodox Rabbi Jakobovits states that…

Answer 8

There is nothing intrinsically illegal about artificial insemination

Question 9

What does AID stand for?

Answer 9

Artificial insemination by Donor

Question 10

AID is?

Answer 10

A procedure where instead of the husband’s sperm sample, a donor’s sperm is deposited directly into a woman’s uterus

Question 11

What is the halachic view on AID by each denomination?

Answer 11

• It is halachically controversial
• It is often opposed of by a majority of Orthodox Jews
• Conservative and reform Jews permit AID

Question 12

What are the halachic concerns of AID

Answer 12

• There are concerns for possible future incest as a sperm donor could donate sperm to an endless amount of people.
• Problems regarding legitimacy

Question 13

In AID, Orthodox Rabbi Zirelson considers…

Answer 13

AID to be adultery

Question 14

In AID, Orthodox Rabbi Feinstein permits AID as…

Answer 14

He believes there is no adultery without intercourse

Question 15

IVF refers to?

Answer 15

In-Vitro Fertilisation

Question 16

What is the procedure of IVF?

Answer 16

Eggs are extracted from a woman and are fertilized outside her before being implanted into her uterus.

Question 17

In IVF, there are halachic concerns on?

Answer 17

What is done to the unfertilised eggs as Jews believe that if they are not used it is akin to ‘wasting seed’.

Question 18

What Jewish denominations accept IVF?

Answer 18

It is accepted by all variants of Judaism

Question 19

To prevent the ‘wasting of seed’, what can be done?

Answer 19

The unfertilized eggs can be used for research, only if it can eventually save lives.

Question 20

During IVF, why is the procedure supervised by a Rabbi

Answer 20

To ensure their are no mistakes or mix ups in the process

Question 21

The disposal of unfertilised eggs is not considered murder as according the the Talmud…

Answer 21

The soul does not enter the embryo until 40 days after conception

Question 22

In IVF, according the Sherman J. Silber…

Answer 22

“IVF is absolutely obligatory when it is medically indicated in order for a couple to have children”

Question 23

What is surrogacy?

Answer 23

A process where a woman carried and delivers a baby to a couple or individual

Question 24

What are the halachic and moral concerns with surrogacy?

Answer 24

• 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.

Question 25

Do Jewish variants accept surrogacy, explain why or why not?

Answer 25

Jewish variants mostly reject surrogacy as the procedure illustrated the woman’s body as a commodity.

Question 26

In surrogacy, most rabbinic authorities forbid what?

Answer 26

Sperm and egg donations

Question 27

In surrogacy, Orthodox Rabbi Jakobovits states that…

Answer 27

“To use another woman as an incubator… [is a] revolting degradation of maternity.

Question 28

Conservative Rabbi Gordis states that surrogacy…

Answer 28

Is degrading because it involves the “commodification” of the surrogate woman’s body