Gared and Sabina Whittaker* are among the two million couples in America who are unable to become pregnant. Finally, they decided to go to a reproductive medicine clinic for help. They chose in-vitro fertilization (IVF). During the past 20 years, one million babies have been born using IVF; 150,000 here in the United States.

Their choice meant that Sabina's egg cells would be harvested in a batch of about 15 to 20. Gared would provide the sperm cells, and the laboratory technicians would allow for "conception" in Petri dishes. As it turned out, the Whittakers' efforts resulted in 12 viable fertilized eggs, otherwise known as pre-embryos. During the next four years, they had three healthy children. The moral dilemma they now face is what to do with the "extra" pre-embryos.

They may: 1) donate them to a research laboratory; 2) dispose of them; 3) pay the reproductive clinic $1,500 per year to store them; or 4) try to donate them to another infertile couple. There are an estimated 400,000 frozen pre-embryos in the United States. Most couples choose to dispose of the pre-embryos. What do you think they should do? I favor options one and four, even if option two might be acceptable.

In statements on the use of such technology, the General Conference has called for the "protection of human dignity." Citing Genesis 1:26-27, one statement argues that the image of God endows all human beings with "personal dignity that calls for respect and protection."

Would you consider a fertilized egg a human being? Does the pre-embryo reflect the image of God? If so how would you respect and protect it? Despite the moral difficulties, the General Conference Christian View of Human Life Committee wrote in 1994: "Assisted reproduction calls for sensitivity to the value of human life. Procedures such as in vitro fertilization require prior decisions about the number of ova to be fertilized and the moral issues regarding the disposition of any remaining pre-embryos." The statement does not make recommendations regarding the disposal of these pre-embryos.

I do not believe these frozen pre-embryos should simply be thrown away. If couples choose to dispose of these pre-embryos, perhaps they should hold some sort of special memorial service. Each year at Loma Linda University's School of Medicine there is a memorial service for those who donated their bodies to the anatomy lab. Perhaps a similarly respectful service could be held for pre-embryos. Surely, regardless of the specific choice, one thing is certain: human life, whether it be a small number of cells or a maturing fetus, should always be treated with care and respect.

* Fictitious characters