Catholic Medical Ethics: Difference between revisions
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The basic principle informing the Catholic view of advances in medicine is that we may use any aid to health that preserves or restores the natural functions of the body but we may not use any means that are contrary to the nature of the body. | The basic principle informing the Catholic view of advances in medicine is that we may use any aid to health that preserves or restores the natural functions of the body but we may not use any means that are contrary to the nature of the body.<ref>[http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s2c2a5.htm#2288 CCC #2288;] [http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s2c2a5.htm#2292 CCC #2292.]</ref> | ||
== Examples of Licit Therapies == | == Examples of Licit Therapies == | ||
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* hearing aids | * hearing aids | ||
* use of adult stem cells in research and therapy | * use of adult stem cells in research and therapy | ||
* prenatal diagnosis<ref>[http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s2c2a5.htm#2274 CCC 2274:] Since it must be treated from conception as a person, the embryo must be defended in its integrity, cared for, and healed, as far as possible, like any other human being. | |||
* organ donation and organ transplants | |||
== Examples of Illicit | Prenatal diagnosis is morally licit, "if it respects the life and integrity of the embryo and the human fetus and is directed toward its safe guarding or healing as an individual. . . . It is gravely opposed to the moral law when this is done with the thought of possibly inducing an abortion, depending upon the results: a diagnosis must not be the equivalent of a death sentence" (CDF, Donum vitae I,2.). </ref> | ||
== Examples of Illicit Actions == | |||
* [[NFP|artificial methods of birth control]]: barrier methods, anti-implantation devices, tubal ligation, vasectomy | * [[NFP|artificial methods of birth control]]: barrier methods, anti-implantation devices, tubal ligation, vasectomy | ||
* ''in vitro'' fertilization | * ''in vitro'' fertilization | ||
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* cloning or other direct genetic engineering | * cloning or other direct genetic engineering | ||
* use of fetal tissue in research and therapy | * use of fetal tissue in research and therapy | ||
* drug abuse | |||
== The Principle of Double Effect == | == The Principle of Double Effect == | ||
Revision as of 17:40, 29 July 2011
The basic principle informing the Catholic view of advances in medicine is that we may use any aid to health that preserves or restores the natural functions of the body but we may not use any means that are contrary to the nature of the body.[1]
Examples of Licit Therapies
- medicine
- pain relief
- promotion of fertility
- surgery
- pain relief
- correction of injuries
- restoration of tissues, limbs, ligaments, etc.
- cosmetic surgery (so long as the cost is proportional to one's income)
- removal of cancerous growths and afflicted organs (hysterectomy [removal of ovaries], orchiectomy [removal of testicles])
- blood transfusions
- glasses
- dentistry
- hearing aids
- use of adult stem cells in research and therapy
- prenatal diagnosis[2]
Examples of Illicit Actions
- artificial methods of birth control: barrier methods, anti-implantation devices, tubal ligation, vasectomy
- in vitro fertilization
- euthanasia
- abortion
- cloning or other direct genetic engineering
- use of fetal tissue in research and therapy
- drug abuse
The Principle of Double Effect
If a particular therapy is intended to save the life of a person, it is licit, even if as a side-effect the therapy causes the death of a baby in the womb or renders the person sterile afterward.
- ↑ CCC #2288; CCC #2292.
- ↑ CCC 2274: Since it must be treated from conception as a person, the embryo must be defended in its integrity, cared for, and healed, as far as possible, like any other human being.
- organ donation and organ transplants