In Vitro Fertilization

(IVF): An Islamic
View.

Dr. ERWAH AL-Bataineh

BT496 - ETHICAL ASPECTS OF
BIOTECHNOLOGY 1
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What is IVF?
What's the reason for patients
leaning towards it?

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 Embarking on the Journey of Hope: In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

• In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a fertility treatment that involves combining an egg and sperm
outside the body in a laboratory dish.

• This process allows for the formation of an embryo, which is then transferred to the uterus
for implantation. IVF is a groundbreaking method that helps individuals and couples
overcome fertility challenges, offering them a chance to achieve pregnancy and have a child
of their own. It involves several key steps, including ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval,
fertilization, embryo culture, and embryo transfer.

• IVF has provided hope and success to many families worldwide, revolutionizing
reproductive medicine.

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Reasons For IVF:
● Infertility: Helps couples facing challenges conceiving due to various factors like blocked
fallopian tubes, low sperm count, or ovulation issues.

● Age-related Issues: Aids women with declining fertility due to advanced maternal age.

● Genetic Screening: Assists in screening embryos for genetic disorders, benefiting couples
at risk of passing on genetic conditions.

● Preserving Fertility: Offers a chance to freeze eggs or embryos before medical treatments
that could harm fertility.

● Unexplained Infertility: Provides an option when the cause of infertility remains unknown
despite testing.

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 02
How it’s done?
The IVF Process

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● Ovarian Stimulation:
○ Hormone injections stimulate ovaries for healthy egg production over 10-14
days.
● Egg Retrieval:
○ Matured eggs are delicately collected using a specialized needle and ultrasound,
approximately 36 hours after the final hormone shot.
● Fertilization and Embryo Formation:
○ Eggs and prepared sperm are combined in a dish for fertilization and monitored
for successful embryo formation in an incubator.
● Embryo Transfer:
○ Developed embryos are transferred back into the uterus via catheter guided by
ultrasound, typically 3-5 days later.
● Pregnancy Confirmation:
○ A pregnancy test is conducted 10-12 days post-transfer to determine the
procedure's success.

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 03
What Factors Influence
the Success of IVF?

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Factors Influencing IVF Success:
● Age:
○ Women under 35 have higher success rates due to better egg quality.
● Fertility Issue Complexity:
○ Some issues are more challenging, impacting first-time success rates.
● Egg and Embryo Quality:
○ Higher-quality eggs and embryos increase the chances of successful implantation.
● Sperm Quality:
○ Poor sperm quality affects success rates; semen analysis is crucial.
● Embryo Transfer:
○ Timing, number, and quality of transferred embryos significantly impact success.
● Uterine Receptivity:
○ Adequate uterine lining thickness and health support successful implantation.
● Lifestyle Choices:
○ Negative lifestyle habits (smoking, alcohol, stress) can hinder success.
● Weight:
○ Underweight or overweight conditions may reduce success rates.
● Mental Health:
○ Emotional well-being affects the chances of success in IVF. 8
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The advantages and
disadvantages of IVF:

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Advantages Of IVF:
● Fertility Assistance: Helps couples experiencing infertility.
● Preventing Genetic Disorders: Allows for preimplantation genetic
testing, reducing the risk of inherited disorders in embryos.
● Preserving Fertility during Health Challenges: Offers an option
for those facing cancer or treatments that may affect fertility. IVF
enables harvesting and freezing eggs or embryos for future
conception.

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Disadvantages Of IVF:
● High Cost: IVF procedures are often very expensive.
● OHSS Risk: Possible ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome due to
medication reactions.
● Risk of Multiple Births: Potential dangers for both mother and
children with multiple births.
● Medication Side Effects: Potential side effects from the
medications used in treatment.

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 05
Myths about
IVF:

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Myths About In Vitro Fertilization:
● IVF increases health risks for your baby.
● IVF increases your risk of health problems.
● Eating pineapple will help improve implantation chances.
● IVF is only for couples who are struggling with infertility.
● IVF is the first step you should take if you’re struggling with infertility.
● IVF is always successful.
● IVF always results in twins or multiples.
● Single IVF failures spoil your chances of success forever.
● IVF women should be on bed rest for the whole pregnancy.
● IVF pregnancy means delivery by C-section.

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 06
Ethical Considerations in
In Vitro Fertilization
(IVF):
• IVF raises ethical concerns.
• Balancing its benefits and ethical
implications.

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 Ethical Consideration:
 Embryo Creation and Disposition:
o IVF produces surplus embryos.
o Ethical issues: rights, storage, donation, disposal.

 Multiple Pregnancies and Reduction: IVF risk:

o multiple pregnancies.
o Ethical dilemmas in selective reduction.

 Access and Socioeconomic Disparities:

o IVF’s high cost limits access.
o Ethical concern: socioeconomic disparities.
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 Ethical Consideration:
 Reproductive Autonomy:
o Complex IVF decisions.
o Ethical questions about decision-makers..

 Health Risks and Ovarian Syndrome:

o IVF risks: ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.
o Ethical balancing health vs. pregnancy.

 Embryo Screening and Genetic Testing:

o Pre-implantation genetic testing.
o Ethical concerns: designer babies, selection.
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 Ethical Consideration:
 Commercialization and Profit:
o IVF commercialization and profit.
o Ethical implications and exploitation concerns.

 Ethical Considerations in Surrogacy:

o Surrogacy with IVF.
o Ethical issues: exploitation, autonomy, rights.

 Informed Consent:
o Crucial understanding of the IVF process.
o Ethical concerns if lack of informed consent.
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 07
An Islamic View:

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Do Muslims Agree With IVF?
● In Islam, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is permissible when the semen and ovum
come from a legally married husband and wife during their marriage. It's a
method designed for couples facing conception challenges.
● IVF, allowed by Muslim jurists, involves fertilization outside the body when
natural conception is hindered. The ovum is fertilized in vitro, becoming an
embryo later implanted into the wife's uterus, allowing a couple to experience
parenthood.
● Guided by Shari’ah principles preserving lineage, IVF is permitted only within
the marriage, prohibiting post-divorce or post-death procedures. Divorced or
widowed individuals cannot utilize the fertilized ovum from their former spouse.
Additionally, surrogacy and using a woman as a surrogate mother are not
permissible in Islam.
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 08 Western VS Islamic :

In comparing Western secular and Islamic bioethics on

IVF, similarities and differences emerge. Both prioritize
the well-being of the mother, child, and society.
However, Western secular ethics tend to be relative and
utilitarian in approach.
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Islamic Ethics:
● Infertility Resolution: Allows treatment within Islamic law
boundaries.
● Use of Genetic Material: Only a woman's husband's sperm is
permitted, banned after divorce or death.
● Cryopreservation: Allowed when used by the biological couple in a
valid marriage for infertility treatment or preservation due to medical
treatments.
● Unused Donations: Unused embryos or gametes can be ethically
donated for biomedical research.

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Islamic Ethics:
● Ensoulment Concept: Life is believed to start 40–120 days after
fertilization; early-stage embryos are not considered human beings.
● Sunni Stance on Third-Party Involvement: Rejects third-party
gametes, embryos, or wombs to preserve lineage and kinship rules.
● Ban on Cloning and Surrogacy: Prohibits practices violating
parenthood lineage and kinship rules; forbids surrogacy.
● Limits on IVF: Not permitted for single women or same-sex
couples within the Islamic law framework.

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Western Ethics:
● Age Limits: Considerations on age for ethical fertility treatments.
● Reproductive Autonomy: Values children's safety and women's
reproductive rights.
● Single Women and Same-Sex Couples: Calls for equal access to
assisted reproduction.
● Ownership of Stored Material: Legal variations in using stored
gametes from deceased individuals across countries.
● Surrogacy: Allows altruistic surrogacy while commercial surrogacy
is illegal in many places.

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 Conclusion
In conclusion, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) stands as a groundbreaking
technology offering hope to individuals and couples facing infertility
challenges. While it has revolutionized reproductive medicine, IVF also raises
critical ethical considerations.
In the realm of Islamic ethics, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) presents a nuanced
landscape shaped by religious principles, cultural values, and legal boundaries.
Islamic teachings emphasize the preservation of lineage, parental rights, and the
sanctity of life, guiding the ethical framework surrounding IVF practices.

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