Self-Abortion QUESTION from Paul Davidson on March 21, 2002 The female body self-aborts feotuses that are 'genetically perfect'. Why if God (or evolution) selected this system, is it morally wrong for humans to directly select genetically healthy embryos through a technique such as Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis? Surely this is a morally better solution than allowing a child to be born with a disease such as Tay-Sachs, which shortens life drastically and causes intense pain for sufferers before they die. Jewish Law advocates a genetic screening program as a pro-life action. [Note: Question cuts off here.]
ANSWER by Mr. Troy Martz on March 30, 2002 Dear Mr. Davidson:
As is often the case with questions like these, your question contains the answer. You ask:
Why if God (or evolution) selected this system, is it morally wrong for humans to directly select genetically healthy embryos through a technique such as Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis?
The simple answer is that you are NOT God! And neither are the doctors who advocate screening to determine if they think a person would have a life worth living. Soon we will be screening the elderly to determine if their quality of life is acceptable or if they should be directly unselected. You claim that Surely this is a morally better solution; which is the same argument made by the pro-abortion crowd when talking about unwanted babies.
If Jewish law advocates such direct selection (I don't know for sure that it does), then they have forgotten their recent history. The Nazis classified Jews as non-persons paving the way to the Holocaust.
We must always remember, humans are made in the Image of God and fundamentally higher than the animals. We shouldn't even consider putting people out of their misery like putting down a lame horse or putting a sick pet to sleep. Jesus has redeemed our sufferings -- not to take them all away but to allow them to become holy and a channel of God's Grace in the world. We may not (and shouldn't expect to) understand all of God's plan, but we need to understand that our willingness to take up our Cross and follow Jesus includes our willingness to embrace the sufferings that come our way.

But if we are children, we are heirs as well; heirs of God, heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so as to be glorified with him. I consider the sufferings of the present to be as nothing compared to the glory to be revealed in us. (Romans 8:17-18).
If we are unwilling to suffer with Christ, we shouldn't expect to be glorified with Him. I am writing this on Holy Saturday, often the world wants to celebrate Easter but overlook Good Friday. The only way to the Resurrection is the Way of the Cross.
Pax Christi, Troy
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