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Would a couple who have some frozen blastocysts1 left in storage from previous collections during IVF, and now after menopause, be expected to try to become pregnant with all of them (or until it poses a certain level of medical risk to do so)?

  • Until what age? If they already have a boy/girl (or two boys)?
  • If not, would it be praiseworthy?
  • Or would it actually potentially be discouraged/forbidden due to it not being natural (see Schmerel's comment and DoubleAA's comment)? In which case it would be worth answering what if the couple really wanted to have more children?

1 - note: contains drawn cross sectional diagrams of uterus and ovaries

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  • I can't imagine that there is ever a Mitzvah to fulfill a mitzvah in such an abnormal way. If there were why not take it a step further? Why doesn't everyone freeze them in order to do the mitzvah at an age they aren't physically capable of doing so?
    – Schmerel
    Feb 19 at 15:53
  • @Schmerel that is a nice, simple clear argument I appreciate it. Maybe there are counter examples - one isn't obligated to go out and find a poor person to feed and cloth, but if one is at one's door? Maybe there are factors like the fact that a conception has taken place, so maybe some imperative comes from there? Maybe you are right and it's not a Mitzva, but it might be considered praiseworthy
    – Rabbi Kaii
    Feb 19 at 15:57
  • I feel bad for the toddler orphan whose 90 year old parents were told it's a mitzva to use up their blastocysts.
    – Double AA
    Feb 19 at 16:03
  • @DoubleAA I feel bad for them too. However, I don't trust my feelings to always guide me to what's right and wrong
    – Rabbi Kaii
    Feb 19 at 16:20

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