Readings Guide and Key Points Week 5:
Higgins 2:
Reproductive technologies:
Artificial Insemination
AIH
AID
In Vitro Fertilization
Only ethical appropriate context for procreation is marriage
Conception must involve a husband and wife
Use this link for the entire document http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_19870222_respect-for-human-life_en.html
Higgins 3:
Abortion
Pro –Life Position
Life begins at conception
This begs the question of when conception occurs
The direct taking of innocent human life is always wrong
From the moment of conception there is innocent human life
Therefore direct abortions are always immoral
Principal of double effect
Ectopic pregnancy
The question comes down to life. If abortion is the taking of life, it can only be justified in the rarest of instances
If one accepts there is life ( “personally I do not support abortion…..”) and one holds this position because one believes life is present, then one cannot support the choice of another to commit abortion.
See pages 44-45 in Higgins
Life,
Rights
guaranteed to us through creation
There is a hierarchy to these rights:
Life - needs to be protected first
Happiness - third
I can not inhibit your right to life to satisfy my liberty
I can not inhibit your liberty to satisfy my happiness
I can not inhibit your life to satisfy my happiness