Catholic Bioethics

Ethics is the effect that morals (knowledge of right and wrong) have on huma

Ethics is the effect that morals (knowledge of right and wrong) have on human behavior. Bioethics, then, specifically deals with those patterns of human behavior as applied to the medical field. This encompasses medical research, patient treatments and other general medical issues. These are areas that touch all of our lives in a very personal and sometimes emotional way.

Catholic bioethics is a course which attempts to bring these issues to light in the fullness of Catholic teaching. Before dealing with specific issues, however, the course attempts to lay a firm foundation in ethical decision making by studying conscience which is the mediator of our moral decision making. Following this, the mechanics of moral decision making are studied with regard to the moral agent, the action, intention of the act, means and end intended. After these foundational talks, one is better prepared to study individual bioethical issues and the Church’s emphasis on the sanctity of all human life is presented which is the underlying principal of all life and medical issues.

Early life issues are addressed with talks on abortion, stem cell technology and cloning. Sexuality is presented by first studying John Paul II’s beautiful Theology of the Body, followed by presentations on reproductive technologies. At this point attention is turned to the difficult decisions that must frequently be made as we approach the end of our lives both from a medical as well as a legal perspective. Finally, an understanding of the medical and theological definition of death is studied and this is applied to the area of organ donation and transplantation.

The field of medical technology is moving very fast and we must no get caught up in the technology without stepping back and looking at the ethics of our participation in these issues. The Catholic Church has a rich heritage of teaching and guidance in this area and continues to study these cutting edge issues and apply sound doctrine to bring us to the truth.

n behavior. Bioethics, then, specifically deals with those patterns of human behavior as applied to the medical field. This encompasses medical research, patient treatments and other general medical issues. These are areas that touch all of our lives in a very personal and sometimes emotional way.

Catholic bioethics is a course which attempts to bring these issues to light in the fullness of Catholic teaching. Before dealing with specific issues, however, the course attempts to lay a firm foundation in ethical decision making by studying conscience which is the mediator of our moral decision making. Following this, the mechanics of moral decision making are studied with regard to the moral agent, the action, intention of the act, means and end intended. After these foundational talks, one is better prepared to study individual bioethical issues and the Church’s emphasis on the sanctity of all human life is presented which is the underlying principal of all life and medical issues.

Early life issues are addressed with talks on abortion, stem cell technology and cloning. Sexuality is presented by first studying John Paul II’s beautiful Theology of the Body, followed by presentations on reproductive technologies. At this point attention is turned to the difficult decisions that must frequently be made as we approach the end of our lives both from a medical as well as a legal perspective. Finally, an understanding of the medical and theological definition of death is studied and this is applied to the area of organ donation and transplantation.

The field of medical technology is moving very fast and we must no get caught up in the technology without stepping back and looking at the ethics of our participation in these issues. The Catholic Church has a rich heritage of teaching and guidance in this area and continues to study these cutting edge issues and apply sound doctrine to bring us to the truth.