On this day in history, July 25th, 1978, Louise Joy Brown was born in England. She was the first child born who was conceived using in vitro fertilization, IVF. 

Lauded by many at the time as a breakthrough medical procedure to allow childless couples to conceive, the IVF procedure also subsequently ushered in multiple moral and ethical questions that individuals, governments and religions are still addressing including issues of: ‘playing god,’ genetic engineering, cloning, the rights of parents and the rights of the unborn, surrogacy, frozen embryos, etc. 

All questions about the nature and value of life itself. Questions for God. After forty years of IVF procedures, there are many helpful resources based on the truth of Scripture that dignify the human suffering of wanting to have one’s own biological children. (The Gospel Coalition’s course and related articles on ‘Ethical Issues Related to Pregnancy and Infertility’ is a helpful resource for Christians and churches.) May the search for answers draw you to behold the majesty of God who creates and sustains life and confers upon humans the highest dignity: to image the Triune God Himself (Gen. 1:27).