How to Make a Person

New reproductive technologies raise difficult moral issues.

Brave New Families: Biblical Ethics and Reproductive Technologies, by Scott B. Rae (Baker Book House, 256 pp.; $16.99, paper). Reviewed by Brad Stetson, director of the David Institute.

This comprehensive work presents an overview and a moral analysis of the latest reproductive technologies employed by the American fertility industry. Written from an evangelical Christian perspective, Brave New Families is nontechnical enough to be generally accessible yet sufficiently detailed to merit the attention of bioethicists.

The alphabet soup of emerging methods of assisted reproduction is indeed bewildering. From AIH (artificial insemination by husband) and IVF (in vitro fertilization) to GIFT (gamete intrafallopian transfer), ZIFT (zygote intrafallopian transfer), and embryo cloning, these biological manipulations raise basic questions about the nature of the human person—and the persistence of “family” in a world where reproduction can be divorced from its natural setting. Through a sensitive integration of Scripture with legal, philosophical, and biological perspectives, Rae effectively argues that personhood begins at the completion of conception, and that the marriage-based heterosexual union is objectively best for children and hence the essential context for procreation.

The reaffirmation that personhood is a reality from conception will not sit well with the burgeoning fertility industry and its sometimes unrestrained boosters in academe, yet this verdict provides a healthy check on artificial reproductive practices. Rae is very sympathetic to infertile couples—indeed, his conclusion is directed explicitly to them—but he does urge them to set limits (moral as well as financial) on the reproductive technology they will pursue. Such curbs are a valuable reminder that the ability to apply a technology does not alone secure its moral justification.

Copyright © 1997 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Our Latest

News

Amid ICE Raids, Korean American Churches Stay Quiet

Christians in the community are divided on how to respond, yet more churches want to prepare their congregants.

What Porn Does to Us

Christine Emba talks with Russell Moore about how psychological research supports biblical injunctions.

The Russell Moore Show

Listener Question: How Can I Make Time for Writing?

Russell takes a listener’s question about making time to be a better writer.

News

Northern Seminary Presidential Installation Goes Awry

It’s unclear whether Joy Moore resigned her leadership at the suburban Chicago school.

‘The Chosen Adventures’ Educates Our Smallest Bible Scholars

The animated spinoff on the adult show is a heady attempt to disciple kids on the life of Jesus.

News

How Abortion Pills Change the Fight for Life

Texas pregnancy centers adjust their services as women increasingly access mifepristone by mail.

Review

Suffering Comes in Many Forms. So Does Theodicy.

Scripture attests to God’s distinct plans to wipe individual tears from individual eyes.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube