Defense Date

4-2-2024

Graduation Date

Spring 5-10-2024

Availability

One-year Embargo

Submission Type

dissertation

Degree Name

PhD

Department

Health Care Ethics

School

McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts

Committee Chair

Gerard Magill, OhD

Committee Member

Joris Gielen, PhD

Committee Member

Peter Ikechukwu Osuji, C.S.Sp., PhD

Keywords

Embryo, Catholic Church, Personhood, Abortion, Moral Status, Sanctity, Snowflake, untangling Twinning, Cryopreservation, Ethics

Abstract

This dissertation considered the distinctive contribution of the Catholic Church surrounding emerging ethical issues around embryos. In many Catholic doctrines, the church has stated that the embryo must be treated as if it were a human person with (soul) and must be protected. The embryo is considered an individual with relational qualities worthy of all the rights given all humans per the natural law.

The Church continues to oppose all forms of assisted reproduction that eliminates the unitive and procreative nature of marriage as it violates the dignity of the child and marriage. Technologies such as lower tubal ovum transfer(LTOT), natural procreative technology(NaPro), and gamete intrafallopian transfer(GIFT), are suggested.

The Church avers that abortion and nontherapeutic experiments on a living embryo or fetus are not permitted, but allows for therapeutic experiments like, adult stem cells, placenta derived stem cells, umbilical cord blood and other non-human life destructive methods.

Maternal behavior during pregnancy has a massive impact on the growth and development of the fetus. The growing fetus is fully dependent on the gestational environment; hence, negative habits or activities must be discouraged. The concern for savior siblings has been the potential for abuse and the lack of regulation. Scientist are encouraged to advance technologies that eliminates embryo destruction during the savior sibling selection process. The Catholic church support twinning in its multiple forms. It also seeks redress for challenging cases like conjoined twins who have to be separate for one or both to live fulfilling lives.

Language

English

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