Abstract

MAY, Roy H.. Fe cristiana y fecundación In Vitro. Med. leg. Costa Rica [online]. 2002, vol.19, n.2, pp.13-21. ISSN 2215-5287.

The techniques of assisted human reproduction, among them in vitro fertilization (IVF), raise ethical questions. Their use promises benefits for humanity and, specifically for infertile couples, the satisfaction of being parents. This article proposes that Christian faith affirms the ethical legitimacy of IVF based on the founding values of mercy, justice, well-being, love, and commitment to the needy as practiced by Jesus Christ. lt is argued that IVF promotes human life and dignity. In addition, it is proposed that ethics is best understood not in deontological terms, but rather in terms of contexts that respond to real life situations, specifically an ethics of responsibility.

Keywords : In vitro fertilization; procreation as blessing; ethics; Christian faith; love; human life and dignity; deontology; contextualism; responsibility.