The Southern Baptists will vote on whether to oppose in vitro fertilization (I.V.F.) at their annual meeting in June, following the overturning of Roe v. Wade. The largest Protestant denomination in America will consider a resolution that could lead to a declaration that I.V.F. is morally unacceptable, aligning with the “fetal personhood” movement. This potential decision has the potential to create turmoil for evangelical families who rely on fertility treatments, as well as for the medical community.
The proposed resolution, titled “On the Ethical Realities of Reproductive Technologies and the Dignity of the Human Embryo,” calls on Southern Baptists to reaffirm the value and right to life of every human being, including embryos, and to only use reproductive technologies consistent with this affirmation. The resolution encourages adoption of frozen embryos and states that all children, including I.V.F. babies, are gifts from God. This resolution was proposed by R. Albert Mohler Jr. and Andrew T. Walker, who aim to address the full implications of human dignity in relation to reproduction.
Opposition to I.V.F. in the United States has primarily come from conservative Catholics, with Protestants generally being more accepting of the technique. The idea of restricting I.V.F. due to the belief that life begins at conception has gained limited traction with the public. While many evangelical women support I.V.F., a minority position stands in opposition, backed by groups like the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington. The proposed resolution reflects the incremental approach of anti-abortion activists to chip away at broader societal norms around reproductive rights.
Proposed resolutions at the convention can be amended and require a majority vote to pass, but regardless of the outcome, this proposal reflects a long tradition of incremental activism within the anti-abortion movement. The resolution hopes to impact the regulation of the bioethics surrounding I.V.F., as the industry is currently unregulated. While the resolution begins with uncontroversial language about human dignity, its conclusion and call to action may be challenging for many evangelical families.
The Southern Baptists have been moving towards more conservative social stances in recent years, with last year’s decision to purge women from church leadership and enact a stricter ban on female pastors. While the denomination has long held conservative views on reproductive issues, the acceptance of the proposed resolution on I.V.F. remains uncertain. Regardless, the resolution aims to educate members on the ethical implications of reproductive technologies and could have broader implications for regulation in the future. Southern Baptists will ultimately decide on the resolution’s fate at the upcoming convention.
