Navigating Medical Decisions as Catholics (Special Podcast Highlight)

Trending with Timmerie

In this episode of Trending with Timmerie, Timmerie sits down with Dr. John Di Camillo from the National Catholic Bioethics Center to tackle a tough, emotional, and deeply ethical question: What do you do if you've repented from using IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) and now have frozen embryos? First, Why Is IVF a Problem? Timmerie briefly recaps why the Church opposes IVF. The main issue? IVF bypasses the sacredness of life created through the marital act, introduces potential abortions through "selective reduction," and often results in children never knowing their biological parents. Okay, So What About Those Frozen Embryos? This is where it gets really tricky. Dr. Di Camillo explains that the Church sees this situation as one of deep injustice—one that doesn't have a clear-cut solution. He admits it's a struggle, both for the parents and the ethicists advising them. The Church has outlined what cannot be done, such as: Using the embryos for research or experimentation - (they're not "material"). Discarding the embryos carelessly (e.g., down the drain). Using surrogates to gestate these embryos (another big no-no). But What Can Be Done? Dr. Di Camillo brings up a few options that, while not definitively endorsed by the Church, haven't been ruled out either: Thawing the embryos with the view that cryopreservation might be an extraordinary means of care, followed by a respectful burial. Prenatal adoption, where a non-infertile couple might gestate and raise the child—not as a treatment for infertility, but to save the child's life. Gestating the child themselves (if it's their biological child), thus giving their own child a chance to be born and raised within their marriage. Timmerie and Dr. Di Camillo remind us that none of these options are easy, and none are perfect solutions. But they are ways to approach an incredibly challenging situation with as much moral clarity as possible. Final Thoughts The Church urges us to adhere to God’s plan for creating life within marriage. When we try to "play God," we often end up in heartbreaking dilemmas like this. The key takeaway? Support your loved ones struggling with infertility by guiding them toward ethical solutions and remaining steadfast in your faith. For more insights or to seek personal advice, Dr. Di Camillo and his team can be reached through the National Catholic Bioethics Center.