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Questions & Answers

In-vitro Fertilization (IVF)

Faith Q&A › Metropolitan Youssef › Marriage and Family › In-vitro Fertilization (IVF)

The question

My goal for my future is to go to medical school and become a surgeon. It takes eight years to complete both college and medical school and five years of residency for a general surgery an extra two years of professional work because I plan on joining Doctors without Borders. I would start working by the time I am in my mid-30s. My main concern is how I am able to start a family, I am worried that at the age that I will be working having children will be harder in addition to the job I am planning on having. I do not want to miss out on the opportunity of having a family of my own and I do not want my job to interfere with that. I have looked at many options. One that caught my attention was freezing my eggs. I do not know if the Church would approve. I know there are some issues with IVF but I do not plan on discarding the embryos or committing any inhumane acts. I just want to know if it is okay to freeze my eggs, so I do not miss out on a family.

The answer

It is still possible to achieve your goals without IVF. The IVF process is very costly and requires much time and attention. Thus, it is not an easy fix. Many students take a gap year and most medical schools, residency programs, and fellowships respect that choice. Even after you complete all your education, you will certainly want to practice in your field. Who will take care of your child? How will you spend time with your child with the demanding schedule of a surgeon, long hours, and the travel with the Doctors without Borders program in undeveloped or underserved areas with an infant or toddler? Take it one day at a time and let the Lord's will be done. Perhaps while you are studying, you may meet someone and decide to choose a less demanding specialty. Perhaps you do not meet the right person and do not marry. The Church does not oppose IVF or freezing a woman's eggs, but also does not condone disposing of embryos or fertilized eggs. 
 
These are a set of articles from a combined professional and spiritually Orthodox perspective:
https://suscopts.org/resources/literature/contemporary-issues/infertility-and-in-vitro-procedures/.

Answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab)

Related questions

Questions answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab) of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. Question 2367 on the Diocese’s Q&A site. Questions and answers © Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. All rights reserved.