The Southern Baptist Convention, the nation’s largest Protestant denomination, came out against in vitro fertilization at its annual meeting Wednesday. Delegates in Indianapolis voted for the resolution that also urged the denomination’s members “to advocate for the government to restrain actions inconsistent with the dignity and value of every human being, which necessarily includes frozen embryonic human beings.” A particularly acute issue for delegates was the creation of multiple embryos through the IVF process, some or all of which may not ultimately be implanted.
IVF often involves creating multiple embryos, since not all embryos may be viable. Some frozen embryos might also be discarded after a successful pregnancy, if the patient decides not to use them, or for other concerns, such as genetic abnormalities. Jason Thacker, an advisor to the Southern Baptist Resolutions Committee, said at a news conference Wednesday that the resolution, “unequivocally” affirmed the Alabama Supreme Court’s position that embryos are considered children, regardless of location.
Some anti-abortion opponents who believe that life begins at conception have argued that these embryos should have the same rights as a person. “There is a consistent belief, as our chair has already stated, that we believe that life begins at fertilization and is to be honored and cherished and protected at all stages, no matter the stage of development, nor location,” Thacker said. The SBC resolu.
