“The statement is clear and convictional as it honors life and adoption; affirms the dignity of the preborn; laments infertility; opposes the destruction of life; and requests the government to restrict actions inconsistent with human dignity,” he said in an email Thursday. “With this resolution, I believe our churches have expressed a wise framework for how we can think about this issue. It’s one our government should use as well — which the ERLC has highlighted in numerous policy briefings in Washington.”
While Trump has been praised by abortion foes for the end of Roe v. Wade, over the past year, the president’s views on IVF and his distancing from outright abortion bans have led to controversy — especially after the 2024 GOP platform no longer called for an end to abortion.
Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, urged Trump to put in new rules to restrict IVF rather than expanding access. In a response to Trump’s executive order, Perkins released a statement criticizing IVF for causing the death of embryos and saying the treatment does not address the medical conditions that cause infertility. “The Trump administration can address the infertility crisis in America in a way that is morally and scientifically sound, enabling many more Americans to experience the beautiful gift of children,” he wrote.
Lila Rose, president of the anti-abortion group Live Action, was more blunt in her opposition to increasing IVF access.
“No one is entitled to a child at the cost of denying the humanity and rights of countless others,” she said in a statement. “A compassionate society must work to support families while upholding the dignity and protection of every human being — born and preborn. President Trump and our other leaders should champion ethical, life-affirming fertility options that protect both mothers and children.”
Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco, who has been outspoken in his criticism of IVF, has said IVF is harmful to children. He told RNS that IVF is “yet another example of adults putting their desires before the best interests of children.”
“Moreover, IVF is not ‘fertility treatment,’” he said. “It does nothing to address the heartbreak of infertility. There are effective medical treatments for couples struggling in this area. If the government is going to expend resources to make the manufacturing of babies in a laboratory more easily accessible, it should do the same for medical treatment of infertility.”
By contrast, Americans for IVF, which calls itself a “conservative pro-family group” cheered Trump’s order, saying it would help infertile couples have children — without the financial burden of paying for IVF treatments, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars per attempt.
“As a pro-life rabbi and father of nine children, I can confidently tell religious conservatives that there is nothing more pro-life than IVF,” said Rabbi Margaretten, the group’s founder, in a statement.
(Aleja Hertzler-McCain contributed to this story.)
This article originally appeared here.
