SELECTED REFORM RESPONSA
channels. This matter has been discussed and approved by Mosheh Feinstein (Igrot Mosheh Even Haezer#10) if the sperm utilized was that of the husband, while he and most others would prohibit using the sperm of a donor. Solomon B. Freehof would permit it in either case, while Alexander Guttmann would exercise great caution with donor sperm(W. Jacob, American Reform Responsa,#157, 158) As we are dealing with the husband's sperm, all the cautions cited are irrelevant. There would be nothing which would prohibit the actual fertilization of the egg taking place in a test tube and its implantation in the wife's womb. It would enable some childless Jewish couples to have children and should be encouraged when available.
The second part of the question deals with the freezing of embryos(fertilized eggs) and keeping them indefinitely. This, of course, raises an entirely different set of problems. If it is the intent to preserve the embryos for this couple only, and insert them into the wife at a later time, perhaps if the first pregnancy fails or to create subsequent children, no objection could be raised. However, adequate safeguards must be assured with, perhaps, a time limit for the preservation. Such frozen embryos should not be used for genetic
experimentation or engineering. Both of these areas need much careful further study.