“Fertility treatments which destroy human beings do not constitute basic human rights and should in no way be covered by health insurance,” said Father Joseph Howard, executive director of the American Bioethics Advisory Commission, a division of American Life League.
“Despite what the family planning zealots on Capitol Hill may wish to tell the American people, in vitro fertilization is a gravely immoral act which undercuts the procreative bonds of marriage and results in abortion.”
Father Howard was reacting to an effort in the US House of Representatives to send a bill to the floor (HR 389) that would mandate insurance companies to pay for infertility treatments, including in vitro fertilization. Pro-abortion Congressman Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) submitted the bill. A similar initiative failed last session.
“While there are some moral means of treating infertility, in vitro fertilization is not one of them,” said Father Howard, who expressed concerns that HR 389 is an attempt to advance in vitro fertilization under the guise of true reproductive rights.
“In vitro fertilization has led to the destruction of countless embryonic human persons, and it is unconscionable for elected officials to be advancing this cause in the name of medical health.”
Release issued: 7 Feb 01
