Q&A: Wrongful Birth and the Commandment to Be Fruitful and Multiply
Wrongful Birth and the Commandment to Be Fruitful and Multiply
Question
Hello Rabbi,
If a person has a genetic problem that makes life noticeably difficult, is it proper for him to refrain from fulfilling the commandment to be fruitful and multiply?
Best regards,
Answer
I didn’t understand whether this is because of concern for the child’s quality of life (that he too would have a defect) or because of concern that the child would burden the parents’ lives.
Discussion on Answer
Yes, I meant concern for the child’s quality of life.
There was a similar question here that was discussed at length in the past. I can’t manage to find it. It’s worth noting that the search engine here on the site isn’t efficient.
Actually I found it pretty quickly:
https://mikyab.net/%D7%A9%D7%95%D7%AA/%D7%97%D7%99%D7%95%D7%91-%D7%A4%D7%95%D7%A8-%D7%9B%D7%A9%D7%99%D7%A9-%D7%A1%D7%99%D7%9B%D7%95%D7%9F-%D7%92%D7%A0%D7%98%D7%99/
Let me sharpen the difference between the questions. I’m referring not to a completely crippling condition, but to a problem that harms quality of life—for example, genetic depression and anxiety issues that run in the family.
If there is a significant chance of severe problems, there is justification for refraining, as explained in the link above. I don’t know how to draw a sharp line.
But I really don’t understand why his illness should be a moral consideration at all. Before he was born he didn’t exist, so this act can’t be seen as something immoral, because it’s a logical mistake to compare the two situations, isn’t it? I think the Rabbi also once wrote such an argument.
I wrote that regarding a tort claim that is based on comparing situations. But it seems obvious to me that it is morally forbidden to create a being that will suffer in its life.
The child’s quality of life (the title of the question says: “Wrongful Birth.” I think the Rabbi doesn’t receive/read the titles)