What are the rulings from the major religions on this practice?
I understand that there are numerous Muslim scholars as well as Catholic churches that discourage IVF.
I suppose that this thread belongs in the Religion section but I’m posting here first as I believe that those undergoing the procedures would have looked into this aspect and might be more informed…
Re: Fertility Treatment from a Religious Perspective
When my husband and I were going through our struggles to carry to term/concieve, we consulted the Imam of our head masjid in the community, and alim from India who was a relative or something on my dad’s side, and another Alim/scholar here in the US and all three told us the same thing…as long as the treatments/service are only involving the bodies of the married couple, IVF is permissable. Gestational carriers/sperm & egg donors were not permissable as they involve the bodies of na mehrams…
2 rounds of IVF netted us three beautiful boys mashallah… 
Re: Fertility Treatment from a Religious Perspective
^ exactly what I have read from other scholars.
but I did not read a conclusive ruling on things like gender selection during the IVF process.
Re: Fertility Treatment from a Religious Perspective
^^ we were given the option of gender selection, but that sounded too creepy for my tastes. i was just thankful, alhamdullilah, that we were even given the opportunity to hopefully carry a baby to term...no need to tempt fate and risk upsetting the big guy upstairs! ;)
Re: Fertility Treatment from a Religious Perspective
I feel the same way khattichic. Why to mess with God's plan.
But recently came across a couple who has family history of mental illness in male members of the family. It's evident for 4 generations. Their intent (keyword is intent) for gender selection is that their baby does not carry the disease.
If their "neeyat" is future health of their child and not just preference for gender, I wonder what the Islamic ruling would be for that.
Re: Fertility Treatment from a Religious Perspective
that is a tough one… 
i’d be interested to hear more on the religious ramifications of that scenario as well…
Re: Fertility Treatment from a Religious Perspective
another scenario was in a polygamous marriage where a man has two wives, can the embryo of one wife be implanted in the other wife? Usually in countries like Pakistan where a man is asked to marry another because first wife cannot have kids. Would this be okay so both wives can hav children or experience of giving birth.
I for one am really looking for our Imams to step up and answer these questions rather than their old adnasueum preaching.
Technology is changing the world these days and I would like to see Islamic interpretation from them with techonolgy in mind.
Re: Fertility Treatment from a Religious Perspective
We had a great debate in this thread on IVF and surrogacy.
http://www.paklinks.com/gs/religion-and-scripture/278873-outsourcing-motherhood-is-it-allowed-in-islam.html
Re: Fertility Treatment from a Religious Perspective
Interesting points here.
From someone I respect very much:
SeekersGuidance - Is It Permissible to Have a Child Through In Vitro Fertilization? - Answers
Re: Fertility Treatment from a Religious Perspective
thanks for the link Mirch.
and thanks for the great input ladies.....
this topic came up because of a recent news item that i saw flashing across the TV screen last night.....there was reference to some comment that the current Pope had made on IVF.....trying to find that now....
Re: Fertility Treatment from a Religious Perspective
interesting.... did the pope just denounce IVF or other fertitility treatments like IUI as well?
Re: Fertility Treatment from a Religious Perspective
that's what I think I saw.....am trying to confirm it......my searches are all coming up with old news items......denounced but still old items.
Re: Fertility Treatment from a Religious Perspective
lots of material here as well about infertility and islam.
Re: Fertility Treatment from a Religious Perspective
NJ brought up good questions. I have not read any of the links posted about rulings but let me answer from my own understanding (who is bigger mufti than I am anyways :D)
For the first scenario where mental illness amongst male members is evident, it should be allowed to go with gender selection. Reason I am saying because there is no gunah in doing Dua for a specific gender when a mother is pregnant. If Dua is allowed, then taking non-sinful measures to achieve your desire should also be allowed. As Einstein said "God does not play dice". SO now if God is giving you an opportunity to roll your own dice and bring it to a certain stop (as long as intent is correct), then it should be allowed.
2nd scenario cannot be allowed. Its still a form of Zina between 2 women.
Re: Fertility Treatment from a Religious Perspective
^ interesting that a child can share breast milk from multiple mothers but not a womb of another.
Re: Fertility Treatment from a Religious Perspective
njgal , the womb would also have another man's sperm which is equivalent to zinna or another woman's egg which again is not allowed in islam
Re: Fertility Treatment from a Religious Perspective
^ yes...very interesting.....I would have thought that it would be similar consequences....
Re: Fertility Treatment from a Religious Perspective
^ so if a husband and wife's fertilized embryo is planted into another woman's uterus, that is allowed?
Re: Fertility Treatment from a Religious Perspective
from what is being discussed here SGC, I don't think so.
Re: Fertility Treatment from a Religious Perspective
^ so if a husband and wife's fertilized embryo is planted into another woman's uterus, that is allowed?
the majority of scholars say no, that is not permitted.