The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has voiced strong opposition to President Donald Trump's recent executive order aimed at making in vitro fertilization (IVF) more affordable and accessible. Bishop Daniel E. Thomas, chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities, along with Bishop Robert E. Barron, chairman of the Committee for Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth, expressed concerns over the ethical implications of IVF.

In a joint statement, they acknowledged the deep desire of many couples experiencing infertility to have children as "good and admirable." However, they criticized the administration's push for IVF, stating it "ends countless human lives and treats persons like property."

They further argued that the IVF industry "treats human beings like products" by freezing or destroying embryos not selected for implantation. They described Tuesday’s executive order as "fatally flawed" and in stark contrast to what they termed as promising pro-life actions taken by the administration last month.

The bishops emphasized that every human being is a "precious gift with infinite dignity and worth," regardless of how they were conceived. They stressed their moral obligation to uphold the dignity of embryos that are never given a chance to be born.