Since the birth of Louise Brown in 1978, reproductive medicine and religious doctrine have continually been rebalanced. Whether in vitro fertilisation (IVF), intrauterine insemination (IUI) or sperm donation – each procedure raises questions about the understanding of marriage, the sanctity of life and lineage. This guide shows how the major faith communities in 2025 approach fertility treatments and where they draw their boundaries.
Christianity
From strict rejection to pragmatic acceptance – the positions of the Christian churches differ markedly.
Catholic Church
Donum Vitae and Dignitas Personae permit measures that support the marital act (for example, IUI with the spouses’ own sperm), but prohibit any form of laboratory fertilisation. No embryo may be lost.
- Allowed: cycle monitoring, hormonal stimulation, NaProTechnology, IUI with own gametes, cryopreservation followed by complete transfer.
- Prohibited: IVF/ICSI, sperm donation, egg donation, surrogacy, embryonic research, non-therapeutic PGD.
Protestant Churches
The EKD accepts IVF and IUI with a consistent single-embryo transfer. Evangelical denominations insist that no surplus embryos be created.
- Allowed: IVF, IUI, medically indicated PGD, sperm donation with congregational approval.
- Prohibited or Critical: deliberate embryo destruction, anonymous donations, unregulated surrogacy.
Orthodox Churches
IVF and IUI are permissible if only the couple’s own gametes are used. A single-embryo policy is intended to avoid surplus embryos.
- Allowed: IVF, IUI, cryopreservation of own embryos, PGD for lethal genetic diseases.
- Prohibited: sperm donation, egg donation, surrogacy, embryonic research.
Latter-day Saints & Pentecostal Churches
- LDS (Mormons): IVF/IUI with own gametes allowed; donor gametes only by personal conscience.
- Pentecostal Churches: range from rejection to pragmatic acceptance; IUI is generally viewed less critically than IVF.
Jehovah’s Witnesses
No official ban. Publications emphasise that no embryo should be deliberately destroyed. Donor gametes are a matter of conscience but are often discouraged.
- Allowed: IVF, IUI, cryopreservation of own embryos with subsequent transfer.
- Prohibited or Critical: sperm donation, egg donation, surrogacy, non-medical PGD.
Islam
The guiding principle is Nasab, the unbroken lineage.
Sunni
Fatwas restrict all procedures to the couple’s own gametes.
- Allowed: IVF and IUI with the couple’s own egg and sperm, cryopreservation during an existing marriage.
- Prohibited: sperm donation, egg donation, surrogacy, embryo adoption.
Shia
Donation and surrogacy are permissible if lineage and child rights are contractually secured.
- Allowed: IVF, IUI, gamete and embryo donation, surrogacy, medical PGD.
- Prohibited or Critical: anonymous donations, arbitrary embryo destruction.
Judaism
Halacha embraces technology but safeguards lineage and embryo dignity.
Orthodox
IVF/IUI with the couple’s own gametes are allowed if a rabbi oversees the laboratory process. Donor gametes remain exceptional.
- Allowed: IVF, IUI, PGD for serious genetic diseases.
- Prohibited: sperm donation (except to save life), anonymous egg donation, surrogacy with a non-Jewish carrier.
Conservative & Reform
Technology is more widely accepted, but transparency to the child remains obligatory.
- Allowed: IVF, IUI, sperm and egg donation, surrogacy, medical PGD.
- Prohibited or Critical: arbitrary embryo destruction, anonymous donations.
Hinduism
Offspring are considered a blessing; karmic consequences should be avoided.
- Allowed: IVF, IUI, sperm donation, egg donation, surrogacy, ritual puja blessing before transfer.
- Prohibited or Critical: intentional embryo destruction.
Buddhism
The principle of Ahimsa – causing no harm – is paramount.
- Allowed: IVF, IUI, donations, surrogacy, provided all embryos are preserved.
- Prohibited or Critical: embryo destruction, non-medical sex selection.
Sikhism
Medical assistance is seen as a divine tool, but lineage must be traceable.
- Allowed: IVF/IUI with own gametes, intrafamilial donation, open surrogacy.
- Prohibited or Critical: anonymous sperm donation, exploitation of surrogates.
Bahá’í
Science is welcomed, but only spouses may be the genetic source.
- Allowed: IVF, IUI, cryopreservation of own gametes.
- Prohibited: donor gametes, surrogacy, embryonic research.
Taoism
Technology is acceptable so long as natural balance is maintained.
- Allowed: IVF, IUI, moderate technological use, Qi-Gong support.
- Prohibited or Critical: excessive manipulation, arbitrary embryo destruction.
Confucianism
Family harmony and clear ancestral lines are of highest priority.
- Allowed: IVF, IUI, intrafamilial donations, genealogical transparency.
- Prohibited or Critical: anonymous donations, unnecessary embryo destruction.
Shinto
No dogma against technology, but purity rituals are indispensable.
- Allowed: IVF, IUI, donations, surrogacy, provided shrine-related purification rituals are observed.
- Prohibited or Critical: disregard for shrine purification customs.
Zoroastrianism
Technology is accepted so long as purity rules are respected and the child’s welfare is protected.
- Allowed: IVF, IUI, donation of Zoroastrian gametes, dedicated IVF laboratories.
- Prohibited or Critical: embryo destruction, donations from non-Zoroastrians without purification rites.
Conclusion
This overview shows: almost every religion today permits fertility treatments – but under clearly defined conditions for IVF, IUI and donor procedures. Anyone wishing to reconcile medical possibilities with their faith should bring together medical specialists, religious leaders and legal experts as early as possible so that ethical guidelines, medical safety and parental rights work seamlessly together.