(Jewish Group) Stunning new fertility treatments are being developed. Would rabbis approve?

[Behind the Aegis]

Researchers around the world are working on new reproductive technologies that are straight out of science fiction. But a leading bioethicist believes the question of whether Jews should make use of them is complicated.

A recent New Yorker article explored shocking developments being made in fertility science, including successful experiments in mice in which researchers converted skin cells into stem cells. The stem cells were, in turn, turned into eggs that could be fertilized.

The process, known as in-vitro gametogenesis, could revolutionize human fertility. The number and quality of eggs inside a woman’s ovaries decline as she ages, but these treatments could hypothetically expand the age limits of healthy fertility well beyond what is currently possible. Since the eggs are being created from skin cells, it could also lead to a future where two men share biological paternity of a single child. In the most extreme example, there is a possible future where children will have only a single biological parent.

Jewish ethical thought on fertility goes all the way back to the Torah. In a 2013 paper published in the journal Gynecological Endocrinology, Israeli doctor Joseph Schenker gave an overview of Jewish thought on issues such as when life begins, in-vitro fertilization, artificial insemination and surrogate pregnancies. He noted that while the Torah rarely tackles issues of fertility and reproduction head on, particularly when it comes to issues raised by modern science, answers can still be found by close readings of the text and through tracts such as the Mishnah, Talmud and guidance issued by rabbis philosophizing across the centuries.

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[MyMission]

1. It depends on the rabbi

But most would approve of any procedures to help an infertil couple conceive.

Many years ago I knew an Orthodox women who could not conceive. She was seeing the same reproductive endocrinologist I saw. It was determined that she was ovulating early, and got special permission to sleep with her husband during the time after her period, when it is usually forbidden. She was able to conceive and had several children. Again, most rabbi's would give permission, but I assume some would have told her she must stay separate from him after her period, and she would not have been able to get pregnant.

Very interesting article.