PCA receives proposal to condemn IVF destruction of embryos

The Presbyterian Church in America’s official media arm last week said the denomination would consider a proposal to officially condemn in vitro fertilization procedures that destroy embryos. The denomination’s Southeast Alabama Presbytery submitted the proposal to be voted upon at the PCA’s next general assembly, scheduled for June 2027.

The draft proposal pointed out that facilities performing in vitro fertilization, or IVF, often discard or destroy embryos that aren’t chosen for implantation. Some states grant those facilities civil and criminal immunity, even if they negligently or intentionally destroy human lives, the proposal said.

If the assembly chooses to adopt the proposal, also known as an overture, the PCA would condemn all such practices. The denomination would also ask those who promote or participate in such practices to repent of sin, pointing them to grace and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. Additionally, the PCA would ask local church pastors and elders to provide ethical guidance to church members considering reproductive technologies, urging them to only use practices that respect the sanctity of human life.

Dig deeper: Read Leah Savas’ and Mary Jackson’s story in WORLD Magazine about legal battles involving a pro-life embryo adoption group.