Dear Sir,
I wonder how many other grandmothers, mothers or daughters felt the same, on reading Dr Stammers’ article on medical ethics (June en).
I felt a pang on reading about the removal of the second boundary stone, ‘Procreation and marital sex’. I quote: ‘Sexual union and reproduction are intimately linked in Scripture. Every advance of technology that separates these two is a doubled-edged sword at best and an unmitigated evil at worst.’ This rather blanket and somewhat insensitive statement caused me not a little pain. The next para stated, ‘IVF, though it has brought the joy of children into the lives of many, has also separated procreation from sexual union and thus provided the foundation not only for the commercial exploitation of women world-wide for their eggs but also for many of the techniques of the new genetic revolution.’ Of course, I understand this statement to be true, though the first part seems like an apology for something that should not happen under any circumstance.
Our daughter and husband were unable to conceive due to a medical condition that was overcome after eventually being diagnosed as the reason for infertility. In the final step, separation of the two components of the second boundary stone was implemented for medical reasons. We are now the grateful grandparents of a dear grandchild who is a joy and delight to the whole family. Whilst we should remain true to the Word, I believe that our God is a God of compassion. We can know his permissive will in such matters, knowing that he has given the knowledge of medicine for our good, but the fallen nature of man always seeks to promote anything which can be used ultimately to deny his existence. Satan’s strategy has not changed.
Yours in Christ,
