Case Analysis: Divine Command Theory

CASE ANALYSIS: DIVINE COMMAND THEORY

Alan and Maria have been trying to have a baby for several years without success. Finally, they seek professional help from a fertility doctor. They decide to try In Vitro Fertilization in hopes of finally having a baby. As is usual in IVF cases, the doctors harvest a large number of eggs from Maria. These eggs are fertilized with Alan’s sperm, creating a large number of embryos, which are frozen for implantation in Maria’s uterus. However, before the embryos can be implanted, Maria learns that Alan is having an affair with a younger woman. They decide to postpone fertility treatment while they undergo marriage counseling. The counseling fails, and Alan and Maria divorce. Despite their divorce, they must decide what to do with the frozen embryos. While both Alan and Maria want children, they agree that it would be too difficult on them and any children to use their embryos. They finally agree to allow the doctors to dispose of the frozen embryos.

Using the Divine Command Theory, answer the following question: Is Alan and Maria’s decision to dispose of the embryos a morally permissible one? You may appeal to any religious scripture or other source of divine commands you wish to help answer this question.