It might come as a surprise to some that the Catholic Church does not always oppose the “use of contraceptives.” The particular context is important.
Making Sense of Bioethics
Human Organs from Pigs
Human beings can have a visceral reaction to the thought of growing human kidneys or livers inside the bodies of pigs or cows. Although the idea of a chimeric animal is indeed unusual, several factors need to be considered in evaluating the practice of growing human organs within animals.
At the Heart of the Tragedy of Addiction
Addiction can be extremely harmful – and in some cases – fatal for those individuals ensnared by it. It can be seriously disruptive and damaging to those around them. Who is to blame when it comes to addiction?
Human Life Must Be Held to a Higher Standard
SOMETIMES PEOPLE will point out: “We euthanize our pets when they suffer, and they are clearly creatures of God, so why can’t we euthanize a sick and suffering person who wants it? It seems like we treat our dogs and cats better than we treat our suffering family members.” The way we treat animals, however, should not be the measure of how we treat fellow human beings.
Teaching Children the Truths of Human Sexuality
WHILE SOME parents might be happy to avoid the awkward conversations that arise around human sexuality by allowing the school system to provide their children’s sex education, it is nonetheless important for parents to recognize that they are the most significant teachers and models for their own children as they mature sexually.
Consenting to the Unconscionable
In recent years, scientists have come to rely on freshly obtained human tissue specimens for research and experimentation. Sometimes these tissues and organs can be obtained after routine surgeries like gall bladder removal from adults or foreskin removal during the circumcision of newborns. The use of such tissues and organs can be morally acceptable if the patient (or parents) provide informed consent. The use of cells and tissues from fetuses can also be morally acceptable when those cells are obtained from a natural miscarriage, and the parents provide consent. This would be equivalent to consenting to an organ donation from their deceased child.
Hastening Death by VSED Is Suicide
MORE THAN 20 years ago, Dr. David Eddy, writing in the Journal of the American Medical Association, described how his mother, though not suffering from a terminal illness, chose to end her life through voluntarily stopping eating and drinking (VSED).
Piecemeal Procreation and Three-Parent Embryos
AN ETHICAL RUBICON was crossed when the first in-vitro fertilization (IVF)-conceived baby came into the world in 1978. With human reproduction no longer limited to the embrace of a man and a woman, people felt empowered to take their own sperm and eggs, or those of others, and create their much desired children bit-by-cellular-bit.
Undoing a Chemical Abortion
It is sometimes possible to reverse a chemical abortion if a woman comes to regret her decision soon after taking the abortion pill.
Medical Assistance with The Battle of the Bulge
Bariatric Surgery, which often involves banding of the stomach, is a widely used procedure for treating severe obesity. Another approach that relies on an implantable “stomach pacemaker” also appears poised to assist those struggling with significant weight gain.
