Read the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, Fourth Edition, Part Four - Issues in Care for the Beginning of Life. Are the directives ethical? Why or why not?
Due June 4, 2012
The directives can be found on the class BlackBoard site.
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In reading the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, Fourth Edition, Part Four - Issues in Care for the Beginning of Life, I feel the directives are ethical in some parts. For some reason, I feel like when I read the directives, for the first time ever, I understood why the Catholic Church is against birth control. I do not have to agree with it, but ethically it makes sense for the Catholics as a group to feel this way. The directives do a good job of explaining why they are what they are. So, I am surprised with myself, but I am going to say that the directives are, in fact, ethical.
The first part I want to point out is that the directives explain the Catholic Church’s stance on marriage. By explaining that birthing and raising children is an act of consummation of marriage, it helps to ease the blow of saying you cannot manipulate your fertility too much. I especially like on page 26, where it states,
“43. A Catholic health care institution that provides treatment for infertility should offer
not only technical assistance to infertile couples but also should help couples pursue other
solutions (e.g., counseling, adoption).”
This to me says that the solution is not always cut and dry, like let’s get this couple some babies now! There are many factors to consider.
I also found the section on surrogate mothering very ethical. The directive number 42 points out the bond between a mother and child in pregnancy, which is absolutely real. Then they go further to add protecting the less fortunate women in need, stating “…the commercialization of such surrogacy denigrates the dignity of women, especially the poor.”
The last thing I will mention is the section number 47, which says in short that if the mother falls ill, and she can be saved but the baby may not, save the mother. I think that this changed my perspective on the Catholic Church’s ridiculous views (my opinion) on abortion. I find it very ethical that they see the life of the mother as the priority.
After reading these directives on Issues in Care for the Beginning of Life, I feel that the majority of these seemed unethical to me. For example directive #40 states: "Heterologous fertilization (that is, any technique used to achieve conception by theuse of gametes coming from at least one donor other than the spouses) is prohibited because it is
contrary to the covenant of marriage, the unity of the spouses, and the dignity proper to parents and the child." I do not feel this is ethical partly because I do not see the harm in using a donor's egg or donor's sperm to achieve a pregnancy. I also do not see anything wrong with someone wishing to use a donor, even if they are a single woman, or even a married homosexual couple. To me, this directive focuses too much on one type of couple and does not recognize many able bodied and loving prospective parents that come from other backgrounds and lifestyles. I do beleive marriage is sacred, but I also beleive that not everyone has the opportunity to marry or to be in a committed relationship and some women just simply cannot conceive with their partners. Does this mean they should not be allowed to have children? I don't think that they should be told whether or not they are deemed worthy to have children. Just look at all the natural born, unassisted, babies and children that face negelect and abuse from a family that merely could "conceive the so-called right way".
Of all of the directives, the one I did like was #43 that states: "A Catholic health care institution that provides treatment for infertility should offer
not only technical assistance to infertile couples but also should help couples pursue other
solutions (e.g., counseling, adoption)." I am a big fan of adoption and there are quite a few children who are adopted spread throughout my family. I do beleive this is a good alternative to couples who are willing to take on the responsibilities that come a little more with a child who is adopted depending on their age at adoption and their background and genetics. It is refreshing to see that this directive is willing to assist couples with infertility, however as mentioned before, they are not willing to allow donor eggs and sperm to create a pregnancy, which of course, i do not agree with. To me it is sort of like contradicting what is said prior. You don't want to allow married couples to get pregnant using a donor, but you will allow them to adopt a child that contained neither of the parents genes. Overall these directives were not very ethical in my opinion as I tend to worry and think about my own fertility. I have only half an ovary as my others were destroyed at a young age by large dermoid tumors. Let's say I cannot conceive with my future husband and i want to persue a donor. I do not think it is right for people to tell me or stop me from achieving a healthy pregnancy simply because one set of the genes is donated.
I am finding these directives a bit confusing to be honest. They state that any means of having a child without both married parents having intercourse it is not permitted. However, adoption is fine. It is undignified to have a donor when you will give birth to the child yourself, but adoption is fine. You can’t artificially implant gametes from both married parents because sex isn’t a part of it, but adoption is fine. Surrogacy is not permitted because it preys on the poor ... but adoption is fine. In these directives I’d have to say they are unethical and don’t really make sense since there is an exception for adoption when it has neither gametes from the married couple and they didn’t have sex to procure it. According to the other directives adoption seemingly should also be classified as undignified.
There are good directives as far as care for the child and parents and counseling, which is always needed, but I can’t in good conscious say they are overall ethical. One religion doesn’t speak for the entire population. Even catholic couples, desperately wanting children would probably see any legal option as ethical. How horribly unfair to go through life feeling God has punished you and sentenced you to an empty life void of children.
In reading the Ethical Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, issues in care for the beginning of life, I feel that these directives are ethical. These directives should reflect and be consistent with the teachings of the Catholic Church. It is my understanding that these directives only pertain to Catholic health care services. With that said the Catholic Church believes that life begins from the moment of conception until death. With that said it is understandable why abortion is never permitted as for directive # 45. Catholic Church also believes in the marriage covenant by which a husband and a wife corporate with God and the creation of a new human being. The premise of the Catholic Church is that marriage is not just about love between the marry couple but is also about giving birth to children who are willing the supreme gift of marriage. With that said one can see how the Catholic Church would not approve of manipulating your fertility to include donor sperm or egg from outside the marriage Also why the church would not approve of surrogate mothers. In general the reproductive technology of today does not substitute for the marriage act. But reproductive technology of today can be used to help married couple conceive. And finally the Catholic Church is very supportive of married couples who can note conceive and therefor are encourage to adopt. In my own family I have five adopted cousins all because of aunts and uncles who were unable to conceive. I also think its very fitting that the Catholic Church is so encouraging about adoption since it goes along with being so opposed to abortion. I can’t imagine if any of my cousins had been aborted instead of being born and being put up for adoption.
After reading the Catholic Healthcare Directives for Care for the Beginning of Life, there are a few things I don't view as ethical but there are a few things I could view as ethical.
There are several directives such as #43 which states that "A Catholic health care institution that provides treatment for infertility should offer not only technical assistance to infertile couples but should help couples pursue other solutions (counseling, adoption). I would have to say that this is definitely an ethical view for the Catholic church. I have several cousins who were adopted because my Aunt was unable to conceive due to medical issues. My Aunt and Uncle turned to the church for support and guidance during this difficult time.
I agree that "a Catholic health care institution should provide prenatal, obstetric and postnatal services for mothers and their children in a manner consistent with their mission." It is important for mothers, mothers of any kind should be able to make sure that she is keeping herself and her unborn baby healthy.
Two of the directives I am having trouble with are numbers 45 and 46. In number 45, it states that abortion is never permitted. But in directive number 46, it states that "Catholic health care providers should be ready to offer compassionate physical , psychological, moral and spiritual care to those persons who have suffered from the trauma of abortion. I find this a bit hypocritical. I find that if the Catholic church tells me my decision to end a pregnancy is wrong, why should I turn to them for any type of support.
I believe that children are special, any way that they come into the world. Some of these directives tell me, we are all God's children, as long as we were born to two parents who were married and who conceived a child within that marriage. If these rules or directives were followed, I wouldn't have two of the best cousins in the world. Two cousins who were born to two different young mothers who conceived and gave birth to them without being married. My Aunt and Uncle had the opportunity to adopt my cousins because my two cousins had the opportunity to be born.
With me not being a religious person it's kind of hard for me to separate religious beliefs and self rights. Surprisingly I found myself agreeing with a lot of the directives in part four. The respect and love Catholics have for marriage I find to be amazing. They believe it always important to keep the unity between one another and provide so many resources to ensure that. At first look for number 42 I didn't agree with surrogate mothers not being permitted, because it also mentioned the "uniqueness of the mother-child relationship" representing dignity. Although in directive 43 adoption is permitted. But I agree with it denigrating the dignity of women especially the poor. Directive 46 I was surprised to read about them offering services for persons who suffered trauma for abortion since they are so against and I really that. Not too sure how I feel about the Church not approving contraceptives interventions, although they other counseling on how to limit the number of children by "natural means" of course. Overall I find the rivals in part 4 Issues in Care for the Beginning of Life to be ethical, I believe they have good intentions when it comes to human dignity, love, respect, and honor.
After reading "Issues in Care for the Beginning of life" I must say it is going to be difficult for me to write because i agree with the directives and find them ethical. Personally I am not catholic but my religious beliefs mirror the opinions that were stated.
First off I would like to quote the last paragraph on page 23 and beginning of 24 " This love is an eminently human one. . . . It involves the good of the whole person . . . . The actions within marriage by which the couple are united intimately and chastely are noble and worthy ones. Expressed in a manner which is truly human, these actions signify and promote that mutual self-giving by which spouses enrich each other with a joyful and a thankful will." I believe that this defines what marriage is and if that is not understood or is confused with today's views on marriage it will be hard to understand the directives. That being said, my interpretation of the text reveals on how strong a marriage is supposed to be not just for the couple but for the children as well. The belief is that a child or children symbolize the love of the two parents created in which is the inseparable connection willed by God. Further on in the text and in the directives they bring up views on procreation stating that only natural methods of procreation are acceptable. I personally agree with that because surrogate mothers and artificial insemination are ways of "playing god" driving away from the commitment with their partner or faith and creating something with love with force.
I do like how in directive 38 and 39 it states that their are options to help with infertalization as long as it respects the means of unitive procreative ends. However if you are unable to conceive they assist with adoption which i believe is ethical because this child was already created rather then going against the beliefs and moral to create one. Another section that caught my eye was directive 46 on how even tho abortion is prohibited they offer spiritual care for persons who have suffered the trauma of abortion showing that they acknowledge that people make mistakes but that doesn't stop them from the compassion that they have for supporting Gods child in need of help.
After reading the chapter I start to see how far society has slipped away from views on marriage, love, commitment, procreation, and the true meaning of lasting families and that is why they are so scarce today. Rates of divorce, infidelity, single parents, and decline in childrens education are higher then ever... I believe to be true the lack of accountability for ones self and loss of sight from some of the directives in this chapter are the reasons (in my opinion) for our current family statistics. To conclude in reading the chapter I find the statements to be ethical.
Read the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, Fourth Edition, Part Four - Issues in Care for the Beginning of Life. Are the directives ethical? Why or why not?
In reading the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, Fourth Edition, Part Four - Issues in Care for the Beginning of Life, I feel the directives are ethical. The best directive that really impacted me is the one on section 47 where it states that saving the mother before the life of a baby. I always presumed that any religion not only Catholic would sacrifice a baby to save the mother. It makes a lot of sense since the mother can always have more another baby.
Directive number 42 talked about the surrogate mothers, having experienced two pregnancies, I can never imagine giving my baby but unfortunately poverty make people do crazy things and I am not surprised at all the Catholic church will not permit such an act. I felt that all of the directives were ethical but they also were written well enough to be understood by everyone. Nothing was vague or unclear.
Lastly, I agree with the Catholic institution when it forbids any kind of contraceptive practices such as direct sterilization but yet again we all seem guilty of using certain things to prevent accidental pregnancies. I have been married for 17 years and my religion also does not promote any contraceptives even the pills but due to my health I cannot afford to get pregnant again which puts me in a position of taking necessary medical contraceptives
Coming from a Catholic background, most of the information that I have read is information that is spoken about both in school and in church. The details are what is suprising. The level of detail behind the ethics and attitude of the Catholic belief have very specific rules. For those couples that have infertility issues, there are a few options that are left to choose from. Prospective parents cannot, according to Catholic beliefs, choose to have a surrogate mother in a Catholic facility. It is not an option for them to use; in a Catholic facility. There is a very firm belief structure that is followed and it is a respectable belief.
There are too many different mindsets in the world today to simply "bulk" everyone into one idea or one set of rules. Yet we all have options and if we do not agree with them- we simply choose a way that will fit into our own lifestyles and conveniences.
There are exceptions to any rule, as stated in section 47. When and if the mother needs medical attention and cannot be postponed, it is deemed as acceptable. It is not a reason to break rules but to understand that the mother is the producer of life and without the mother, the unborn child has no possible chance of survival. I believe that this makes perfect ethical sense. The unborn child relies solely on the survival of the mother and therefore anything necessary shall be done.
Life is precious, at any stage. If we understand that it is a gift to be able to have children and that it is a very tough job as parents; maybe people will respect the process and will respect the responsibilities that comes along. Even from my perspective as a member of the Catholic church, there are still some aspects that are very "textbook" for today's lifestyle. I believe that you should choose your actions wisely and understand consequences and payoffs associated with creating life.
After reading the "Issues for Beginning of life." part four
I found the directives to be ethical. The Catholics Health Care speaks a lot the importance of marriage. Also the measure they go through to keep it that way such as; heterologous fertilization, that is any technique used to achieve conception by the use of gametes coming from at least one donor other than the spouses is prohibited because it contrary to the covenant of marriage, the unity of the spouses, and the dignity proper to the parents and the child. I think this ethical. I never thought of if this way. But I am a Christian, and the covenant between a man a woman in marriage is very important. So to protect the marriage the Catholic Health Care Services prohibit such an act.
Catholic Health Care services believe that children are a blessing and parents, especially married couples, should not abuse this blessing. Whether a couple decides to genetically engineer, abort, surrogate their baby, they need to keep "the sanctity of their marriage" and "the gift of life intact". Directives 38, 40, 42, 45, 52, and 53 cover these two areas entirely. These directives are controversial religious beliefs that make the directives seem non-ethical. But if you took a step back and looked at pregnancy from a Catholic standpoint you would understand why their rules are the way they are.
Under Catholic belief, life is God-given thing that should not be interrupted by anything for any reason (see directives 38, 45, 52, and 53). These directives share the unique that contributing to human life should never be altered. Whether you are genetically modifying the baby (38), terminating/preventing pregnancy (53, 52, and 45), or practicing surrogate mothering (40 and 42), you are bound unethical rules.
There are times when people to need to modify their genes in order to prevent birth defects. There are times when people can't afford to have a child. There are times when some couples can only have a child through surrogate mothering. It is during times like these that the directives conflict with people. That is why I find these directives slightly unethical. If people need to break the rules in order to prevent a malicious outcome, why should you chastise them for it?
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