Changes

There are several controversial issues involving human embryos.

There are several controversial issues involving human embryos.

1. IVF, that is, ''In Vitro'' (in glass) Fertilization: Traditionally, fertilization occurs via insemination of a female by a male during sexual intercourse.  However, reproductive science has created many advances in fertilization, allowing infertile couples to have their own biological children. This embryo is then surgically implanted in the mother. The first so-called "test tube baby" was born in 1979 and is now a healthy female adult.  There has been a great deal of controversy about this practice, and there are many interesting moral/religious viewpoints on the topic.  Many see IVF as a way for couples to help fulfill God's commandment to be fruitful and multiply, others see it as science invading the territory of natural marital reproduction.

1. IVF, that is, ''In Vitro'' (in glass) Fertilization: Traditionally, fertilization occurs via insemination of a female by a male during sexual intercourse.  However, reproductive science has created many advances in fertilization, allowing infertile couples to have their own biological children. This embryo is then surgically implanted in the mother. The first so-called "test tube baby" was born in 1978 and is now a healthy female adult.  There has been a great deal of controversy about this practice, and there are many interesting moral/religious viewpoints on the topic.  Many see IVF as a way for couples to help fulfill God's commandment to be fruitful and multiply, others see it as science invading the territory of natural marital reproduction.

2. [[Abortion]]:  abortion interrupts the development of an embryo into a living baby separate from its mother.  This issue is addressed in depth elsewhere.

2. [[Abortion]]:  abortion interrupts the development of an embryo into a living baby separate from its mother.  This issue is addressed in depth elsewhere.