By Katie with Shiloh IVF Ministry, December 19, 2024

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I recently watched a newly released biography on Netflix.  “Joy” tells the story of the founders of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and the beginnings of this groundbreaking technology.  I was struck by a couple of things as I watched this “based on a true story” flick.  

First, as the idea of IVF was being conceived, one of the discovering scientists mentioned IVF potentially being a cure for childlessness.  The striking difference between childlessness and infertility popped out to me as I heard the words.  Certainly, infertility causes childlessness, but it is extremely short-sighted to develop a treatment based on childlessness.  A couples’ lack of fertility needs to be treated versus just their childlessness.  Attempting to cure the childlessness of a couple leaves them with untreated infertility, even after a child is born.  

Second, the movie touched on the despair and loneliness of couples experiencing infertility.   What jumped out at me was the times I saw smiles on the women’s faces.  I noticed two scenes in particular, throughout the course of the movie, where I noticed the characters were smiling and experiencing joy.  

The first scene came about because the nurse coordinated a day out for the women experiencing infertility.  This was notable to me because it generated a sense of community among the women and allowed them freedom from the isolation of infertility.  Creating this sense of comradery and community in those experiencing infertility is huge and one way to promote joy and belonging without a child.  

The second scene was, as expected, when the long-awaited “test-tube baby” was born. As a society we like to focus on this end of IVF, which is in fact good.  However, this end does not justify the means, which is conceived by science and surprisingly sterile and without warmth and passion when seen on the big screen.