It is true that IVF cannot be done in accord with the teachings of the
Catholic Church. In some cases, IUI (artificial insemination), may be
done,
although I'm not sure this would be indicated in your friend's situation.
It would probably depend on the degree of male infertility. It sounds as
though your friend is quite familiar with Church teaching already, but the
exact do***ent which explains accurate Church teaching is called Donum
Vitae
and is available at many places online (just do a Google search). It
explains the Catholic position on IVF and IUI, as well as donor
procedures.
I don't know if any reproductive endocrinologists still perform GIFT
procedures (Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer), but this is a procedure on
which the Church has not taken an official position. Therefore, informed
Catholics may make their own decisions on this procedure. In IVF,
fertilization occurs outside the body, in a laboratory (which is not the
only reason the Church teaches against IVF, but it is one reason). In
GIFT,
the sperm and egg are collected in a similar manner as in IVF (note that
sperm collection must be via a perforated condom for a practicing Catholic
couple, not masturbation), but both sperm and egg are transferred
separately
to the fallopian tube, allowing a potential conception to occur more
naturally. Because GIFT requires at least one functioning fallopian tube
and IVF does not, and because IVF allows physicians to monitor the
fertilizaton and GIFT does not, the GIFT procedure is not that common, but
it may be something appropriate to bring up with this couple's physician
for
their particular case. More information is at
http://www.infertile.com/treatmnt/treats/gift.htm.
Depending on how low
the
sperm count is though, GIFT may not be a solution, and of course only the
couple's physician could help them to determine that.
Another potentially helpful resource might be the Pope Paul VI Institute,
which is a Catholic organization involved in research and teaching on
fertility and infertility. They have a website at
http://www.popepaulvi.com/,
with more specific infertility information at
their http://www.naprotechnology.com/
page. I have not been treated there
personally and I know very little about what problems they are able to
treat, but all their research and medicine is completely in accord with
Catholic teaching and many clergy refer couples to this institute.
I hope some of these suggestions are helpful. Infertility is always
heartbreaking, and it can be especially difficult when one must reconcile
one's faith and religious beliefs with possible treatments. I wish your
friend all the best.
Amy
"PatC" <patc@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
news:4469cb76$0$17548$61c65585@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> What choices are there for a lovely young couple.
> He has a low sperm count, she has checked out OK.
> According to her catholic beliefs I am old that the church does not
> condone
> pregnancies that are artificially conceived (like IVF).
> What if anything can they do to get pregnant?
> This lovely lady is reluctant to post any questions about this as her
> family
> is very religious & she has difficulty talking to her sisters (they are
> both
> Nuns) & has trouble with this with her parents - both very pious, that's
> why
> I would love to find a solution for them.
> I am an older person & have no idea how I can help,but she she trusts me
> more than anyone she knows & am the only person that she confides in.
Her
> husband gets very defensive & is reluctant to discuss the problems with
> her.
> She is nearly 33 years old & feels that her time is nearly up for having
> babies.
> Thanks from my friend Jac if you can give any insight.
>
>
>
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