Scarlett has always known she would never be able to have children. She was born with a female-exclusive genetic condition that caused her to undergo menopause in utero, rendering her completely infertile. Though her Turner’s Syndrome made natural conception impossible for her and her husband Nik, it did not diminish Scarlett’s strong desire to become a mother. As a devout Catholic, she sought Church-approved options for fertility-challenged couples that were financially feasible and eventually came across an intriguing possibility: Frozen Embryo Adoption (FEA).
FEA is a relatively recent practice, developed over the past 30 years, allowing infertile couples to adopt embryos left over from IVF treatments. By giving these children a chance to be born, FEA spares them from destruction, experimentation, or use in stem cell research. Unlike IVF, FEA does not create new embryos but simply transfers an existing one into the mother’s womb. This distinction mattered greatly to Scarlett: she could embrace the good of carrying a child while remaining separate from the morally problematic act of creating embryos through IVF.
The ethics of prenatal adoption are complex and unresolved within the Catholic Church. Faithful Christians may, in good conscience, hold differing views on its morality. Dignitas Personae acknowledges that “even the adoption of IVF embryos with praiseworthy intentions could not be considered wholly satisfactory because of the similar moral problems [of IVF] involved,” yet it stops short of declaring embryo adoption sinful (as Dr. Jeffrey Mirus notes in his commentary).
Despite the debate, there is no denying the profound good FEA can accomplish—saving lives that might otherwise be destroyed or neglected. Prenatal adoption could even be considered a corporal work of mercy, sheltering the homeless by giving a child suspended in time a place to grow and thrive. In this way, embryo adoption also serves as a form of evangelization, offering a child the chance to know, love, and serve God. While post-birth adoption is a noble vocation, rescuing embryos from imminent destruction strikes at the heart of the pro-life mission.
Dr. Jeffrey Mirus, co-founder of Christendom College, has reflected on this tension. He cites Dr. Janet Smith, who welcomed the Church’s openness to debate and believed embryo adoption could be a moral option for infertile couples. At the same time, Dr. Joseph Meaney notes that while the intention to save life is good, the artificial process of FEA introduces an element into human reproduction that the Church ordinarily regards as immoral. This captures the heart of the moral dilemma: a profound good intertwined with ethical complexity.
FEA is not without serious objections. Critics warn of the risk of validating the IVF industry or causing scandal among Christians. Can adoptive parents offset this risk by publicly clarifying their motives? In today’s media climate, misinterpretation is almost inevitable. Practical risks also exist: embryos may not survive thawing or transfer, and adoptive parents may face emotional burdens even a parish priest might struggle to counsel. Yet the pressing question remains—do these risks outweigh the profound good of offering life to a child?
Scarlett first learned of FEA several years ago. After conversations with priests, family, and multiple calls to the Catholic Bioethics Center, she and Nik discerned that it was the right path for them. Traditional adoption was financially out of reach, and their longing to parent continued to grow. They feel called to this vocation while still young enough to fully engage in family life—playing in the park, sharing naptimes, and enjoying daily love and joy together.
The Catholic Church has not issued a definitive ruling on FEA, but the discussion has evolved over decades. Donum Vitae(1987) condemned IVF as contrary to life’s sanctity, natural procreation, and parental cooperation with God. Later, Dignitas Personae (2008) addressed embryo adoption, stating that placing embryos “at the disposal of infertile couples as a treatment for infertility is not ethically acceptable.” Yet, crucial distinctions exist. Unlike unblocking fallopian tubes, reversing sterilization, or hormone therapy, FEA does not restore fertility—it merely allows the adoption of an existing embryo. In cases like Scarlett’s, where conception is impossible, FEA cannot rightly be considered a “treatment for infertility,” as there is no fertility to be restored.
When Scarlett sought guidance from the Catholic Bioethics Center, she explained her complete infertility. Representatives noted that because she could never conceive naturally, embryo adoption was not a treatment for infertility and therefore could potentially be morally permissible. With broader ethical concerns minimized, the focus remained on the profound good of giving life to the child. This reassurance helped Scarlett and Nik move forward confidently.
Through online support groups, Scarlett connected with a Christian woman who had four remaining IVF embryos. Though the donor did not recognize the Catholic Church’s teaching on IVF, she did know the dignity of the embryos and entrusted them to Scarlett to be given a chance at life. After careful discernment and counsel, Scarlett and Nik ensured their motives were rooted in love and vocation, not convenience or personal gain. They concluded that prenatal adoption in their circumstance was ethically sound and consistent with their calling as parents.
Scarlett is preparing to undergo the prenatal adoption procedure in October 2025. After prayer, discernment, and research, she has formed her conscience in favor of moving forward. She believes her decision serves both the good of the child and her and Nik’s vocation as parents. While mindful of physical and emotional risks and the potential misconceptions of supporting IVF, she feels spiritually certain that the life to be saved outweighs these concerns and is ready to advocate for the beauty of this gift that they have been given while defending the Church’s stance on IVF. As they approach the embryo transfer next month, Scarlett and Nik embrace it with a mixture of nervousness and joy, deeply grateful for the opportunity to bring a child into life and live out their vocation as parents.
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*The Catholic Church has yet to reach a definitive judgement on embryo adoption.
