US bishops criticize Trump’s decree about in vitro fertilization and ask for ethical alternatives

The United States Catholic Bishops Conference (USCCB) expressed its deep concern about the recent Executive order by President Donald Trump, who seeks to reduce and expand access to fertilization in vitro (FIV).

IVF is a medical procedure in which ovules and sperm combine in a laboratory to generate one or more embryos, which are then implemented in the uterus. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (n. 2377) states that IVF is “morally reprehensible” because it separates the procreation of the marriage act and places “the domain of technique” over human life.

On Tuesday, February 18, Trump signed the decree which orders the Internal Policy Council to examine ways to reduce IVF costs and expand access to the procedure.

In A statement Signed on Thursday by Bishop Daniel E. Thomas, president of the Provida Activities Committee, and Bishop Robert E. Barron, president of the Laity Committee, marriage, family life and youth, the prelates stressed that this measure “cannot be the Answer ”for couples who face infertility.

“As pastors, we see the suffering of so many couples who experience infertility and we know that their deep desire to have children is good and admirable; However, the impulse of the Government for IVF, which ends with innumerable human lives and treats people as property, cannot be the answer, ”said the bishops.

Prelates warned about the dangers of the in vitro fertilization industry, pointing out that “it treats human beings as products and freezes or eliminates millions of children who are not selected to be transferred to a uterus or that do not survive.”

In this sense, they criticized that the Executive Order promoted by President Trump is “fatally defective and is in an unfortunate contrast to the promising provida actions of the government last month.”

In their message, the bishops emphasized that “every human person is a beautiful gift with an infinite dignity and value, regardless of how it has been conceived.” Although they recognized the dignity of people born by IVF, they recalled that “it is our moral responsibility to defend the dignity of their brothers and sisters who never have the opportunity to be born.”

Given this situation, the USCB reiterated its willingness to collaborate with the US government in the promotion of medical treatments that respect human life from its conception.

“For the good of couples trying to bring new life to the world, we hope to work with the government to expand support for restorative reproductive medicine, which can help to treat the underlying causes of infertility ethically, often overlooked . However, we will firmly oppose any policy that expands the destruction of human life or that forces others to subsidize their cost, ”concluded the bishops.