Reproductive Technologies: Considering the use of genetic testing for personal use or by organisations calls for a Catholic Christian response to
freedom and
choice grounded in Catholic Social Teaching, responding to questions about human freedom around
choice and conscience when making ethically difficult human decisions for humanity that is truly
good. With freedom comes responsibility. We are responsible for our moral behaviour because we are made in God's image as rational beings, capable of knowing what the morally right and good thing is to do, and as free beings, capable of choosing to do the morally right and good thing. These two capacities, to know and to choose, together form what is called
conscience. The Pope made remarks on November 15 in a meeting with members of the Association of Italian Catholic Medical Doctors. Pope Francis: 'Fidelity to the Gospel of life and respect for life as a gift from God sometimes require choices that are courageous and go against the current, which in particular circumstances, may become points of conscientious objection,' Pope Francis said. The Pope said the Church opposes abortion and euthanasia not only as a matter of faith or philosophical principle but as a question of science. 'It is a scientific problem, because there is a human life there, and it is not lawful to do away with a human life to solve a problem,' he said. 'In ancient and modern thought, the word 'kill' means the same thing.' The Pope urged doctors to practice true compassion as 'good Samaritans, caring in a special way for the elderly, the infirm and the disabled.' 'There is no human life that is more sacred than another,' he said, 'just as there is no human life qualitatively more significant than another just by virtue of having greater resources, rights and economic and social opportunities.'
Ethical considerations in this area of study are not limited to religious values and teachings.
The Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) released revised
Ethical guidelines on the use of assisted reproductive technology in clinical practice and research (ART guidelines) The ART guidelines are used by professional organisations to set standards for the practice of ART. The ART guidelines are primarily intended for ART clinicians, clinic nurses, embryologists, counsellors and administrators, researchers, Human Research Ethics Committees, and governments. Assisted reproduction raises significant issues for individuals, families and communities. It can be a controversial topic, with opinions influenced by a wide range of political, cultural, religious, ethical, scientific, professional and legal factors. Some may regard assisted reproduction as standard medical practice that should be available with minimal constraints, in the interest of scientific progress and out of respect for an individual's or a couple's reproductive choices. Others,
in contrast, may regard it as ethically problematic, raising a number of issues and dilemmas that challenge humanity's core values, putting the needs and wants of the intended parent(s) above those of the potential child. Some may regard ART to be a direct contradiction of their religious faith. For some, ART may raise questions about the extent to which medicine should ‘interfere with nature' or the manner in which medical technology may empower or disempower individuals and the control they have over their own lives, bodies and reproductive futures. Ethical guidelines on the use of assisted reproductive technology in clinical practice and research, p.19 Be very clear about the
moral question you are asking. The more you deal with moral issues, the more you will realise how often the issues at stake come down to careful use of words, and clearly understanding what different terms mean when used by various parties. Steps to moral
decision making There are a number of methods which can be used to analyse issues related to justice. These methods help us to reflect on what is happening in society, what issues need to be addressed and what action might be taken as a result of our analysis. According to Pope John XXIII (Mater et Magistra, 1961), “There are three stages which should normally be followed in the reduction of social principles into practice. First, one reviews the concrete situation; secondly, one forms a judgment on it in the light of these same principles; thirdly, one decides what in the circumstances can and should be done to implement these principles.” This process is referred to as See, Judge, Act.
The Pastoral Spiral or
Pastoral Circle was developed by Fr Peter Henriot sj and Joe Holland as a framework for responding to issues and situations of social injustice. The method consists of four ‘moments': experience, analysis, theological reflection, and response. The four moments provide spaces in which to draw on each of the sources of Catholic social ethics: Scripture, Tradition, reason and experience. The moments also enable us to engage feelings and imagination, to dialogue and to contemplate. The pastoral spiral provides a tool for drawing on
Catholic Social Teaching. and prevents us from rushing into action without paying attention to the experience of those most affected and giving adequate time and attention to analysis of and reflection on the issue or situation. The name ‘pastoral spiral' emphasizes the circle is not closed. Our response leads to a new reality; we are changed by our action. We do not return to the same experience allowing the process of analysis, reflection and action to continue
