‘Assisted Reproductive Technology’(ART) in the medical field is justified as a good because it treats infertility, asserting its legitimacy. 

However, one might wonder whether its legitimacy extends beyond specific medical contexts to broader aspects of life.

To consider this, let’s examine the two areas most impacted by the advancement of ART: infertility treatment and surrogacy.

Ancient texts, such as the Bible, also deal with infertility and surrogacy, indicating these issues have long historical roots. 

For instance, the biblical figures Abraham and Sarah, and Rachel and Jacob, grappled with infertility, which profoundly affected their faith and lives. 

Even Hannah, mother of Samuel, fervently prayed for a child and dedicated him as a Nazirite to God after her prayers were answered.

From these texts, it can generally be inferred that opening and closing the womb is considered to be within God’s power. 

A clear example is in Genesis 20, where God closed all wombs in Abimelech’s household due to Sarah’s situation, and they were reopened following Abraham’s prayer.

Rather than generalizing from a few instances, it’s more appropriate to interpret these events within the context of God’s omnipotence and sovereignty over life. 

At this juncture, we face the task of translating issues like infertility and modern approaches such as ART into our contemporary and faith-based lives.

The issue of surrogacy is similar. 

Surrogacy, too, has ancient origins. 

Hagar was a surrogate for Abraham, and the handmaids of Jacob’s wives functioned similarly. 

The Levirate marriage law in Israel, which required a man to marry his deceased brother’s widow to continue his brother’s lineage, serves an analogous purpose to providing only sperm in modern ART practices. 

Even the daughters of Lot, who intoxicated their father to conceive children, present a similar case, although their context differs significantly from Levirate marriage.

Thus, while ancient surrogacy faced ethical challenges and eventually diminished, it has resurfaced through the development of ART. 

Nowadays, sperm and ova can be provided separately, and embryos can be implanted without direct sexual relationship.

Consequently, the development of ART as a life-altering technology invites us to scrutinize how it complicates our lives because wisdom lies in its application. 

Surrogacy, in particular, raises crucial questions about the nature of parenthood :

“Is parenthood granted genetically, or is it granted through the desire and responsibility to raise a child?”

This kind of discussions invite deeper consideration of how society should navigate the advancements in ART, balancing innovation with ethical responsibility.