Medical Issues: Is IVF Permissible Between Spouses — and Can a Non-Maḥram Doctor Perform It?

Practical Laws of Islam as per the teachings of Imam Khamenei

Medical Issues: Is IVF Permissible Between Spouses — and Can a Non-Maḥram Doctor Perform It?

English:

Question #1264:

1) Is IVF or test-tube baby permissible, when the sperm and the egg belong to a lawfully wedded couple?

2) Assuming it is permissible; can the couple go ahead with the procedure if a non-maḥram doctor carries it out? And does the born child belong to the same couple?

3) Assuming that it is not permissible in itself; would the ruling be different if the continuity of the marriage was dependent on it?

Answer #1264:

1) There is no objection to carrying out the procedure in itself. However, it is obligatory to keep away from any preliminary step that might involve committing a ḥarām act like prohibited looking and touching.

2) The child born by way of this procedure belongs to the couple from whom the sperm and the egg were taken.

3) It is mentioned that carrying out the procedure, in itself, is permissible.

-Imam Khamenei, Practical Laws of Islam, Importance and Conditions of Medical Issues