Catholics, Evangelicals, and the In Vitro Fertilization Debate

When the first human baby was born through the use of a blossoming treatment called in vitro fertilization in the late 1970’s, society largely viewed this as a miracle of science that gave those struggling with fertility a chance to start a family. Catholic leadership, believing that taking procreation out of pregnancy went against God’s will, aligned themselves against the practice. Evangelicals, meanwhile, have still to this day not found solid guidance from their leaders on whether this procedure should be embraced or condemned. This week, Josh and June explore the history of in vitro fertilization and the complicated relationship many on the religious right have with it.

EPISODE ART: Bishop Richard Burbidge, Catholic anti-IVF advocate

SOURCES:

• The Alabama Supreme Court’s Ruling on Frozen Embryos

• Alabama legislature votes to restore IVF access

• The History of IVF: Origin and Developments of the 20th Century

• In Vitro Fertilization Comes of Age

• INSTRUCTION ON RESPECT FOR HUMAN LIFE IN ITS ORIGIN AND ON THE DIGNITY OF PROCREATION REPLIES TO CERTAIN QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

• Begotten Not Made: A Catholic View of Reproductive Technology

• Bishop Burbidge Writes against a Federal IVF Mandate

• Despite church prohibitions, Catholics still choose IVF to have children

• Abortion Viewed in Moral Terms: Fewer See Stem Cell Research and IVF as Moral Issues

• Pope Francis calls for a universal ban on surrogacy. He says it exploits mother and child

• Protestant Denominations Need Stronger Leadership on Assisted Reproductive Technology

• IVF: Moral and Ethical Considerations

• IVF is life-changing for infertile families. But the Christian right says it’s not in ‘God’s plan’

• How the Christian Right Became So Hostile to IVF

• Republicans are rushing to defend IVF. The anti-abortion movement hopes to change their minds.

• Americans overwhelmingly say access to IVF is a good thing

• Republican IVF bill fails in U.S. Senate

• In vitro fertilization bills from both Democrats and GOP blocked in U.S. Senate

• Trump has signed an executive order on IVF. Here’s what you should know about the procedure

• What Trump’s IVF executive order means for access to fertility assistance for Americans

• Alabama IVF ruling looms over 2026 statewide elections

VIDEO CLIPS

• Bishop Burbidge talking about the immorality of IVF 

• From the archives: Pope Francis explains why he's against surrogacy