WASHINGTON, D.C, December 19, 2001 (LSN.ca) – “No one has a right to a child,” said American Life League president Judie Brown, “so we urge parents to consider the ethical alternatives to practices such as in vitro fertilization. When couples choose in vitro fertilization, they’re turning children into commodities.”“The idea of freezing embryos and possibly killing one or more of your children meant that in vitro fertilization was simply not an option for us,” said John Kurtz of suburban Philadelphia. Mr. Kurtz and his wife, Donna, struggle with infertility. The Kurtzes found their answer in adoption. “There’s no need to go outside God’s plan for procreation,” said Mr. Kurtz.
Over the course of 20 years, the Kurtzes have adopted 15 children from orphanages, prisons and foster care programs. Many of the children were rescued from abusive situations. John and Donna faced physical infertility yet became enormously fruitful. Their story was featured in Good Housekeeping (Nov. 2001).
“In vitro fertilization automatically puts a selective mentality into raising a family, but adoption focuses on an already existing child who needs a loving home,” said Mrs. Brown. “The Kurtzes are heroic examples of what it means to appreciate children as gifts.”