Destroying the Extra Fertilized Ova

In most cases of artificial insemination, three ova are removed from the woman's body and all three are fertilized by the husband's sperms. But only one is used for reimplanation into the woman's womb. And if they fail in first attemp, then the other fertilized ova are used. The question which has created much contoversy is about the extra and unwanted fertilized ovum. What should be done with the extra fertilized ovum? Must it be used? Can it be destroyed?

According to the shari'ah, there should be no problem in destroying the extra fertilized ovum. It will not constitute abortion because, firstly, abortion only take place after the implanation of the fertilized ovum in the womb and, secondly, abortion takes plac in a woman's body not in a test-tube or a laboratory dish!

Adapted from: "Marriage & Morals in Islam" by: "Sayyid Muhammad Rizvi"