Catholicism & Ethics: A Medical/Moral Handbook

Is it morally permissible to do everything that is scientifically possible? This is one of the most important questions of the day as advances in medical science and technology have made a reality of things that were only in the realm of science fiction a short time ago.

Catholicism and Ethics takes up such controversial matters as artificial insemination, cloning, fertility testing, organ donations, plastic surgery, surrogate motherhood, "test tube" babies, and tissue transplants, and applies Christian moral principles to these matters. The book also addresses the issues of abortion. AIDS, alcoholism and drug addiction, artificial nutrition/hydration, contraception, the use of ordinary vs. extraordinary means. euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide, hypnosis, natural family planning and sterilization.

But before getting into these specific actions, Catholicism and Ethics lays some vital moral ground-work. The first half of the book covers such topics as the nature of ethics and morality, factors affecting the morality of human acts, formation of a correct conscience, the twofold or double effect principle, cooperation in evil, and moral guides and maxims.

In setting forth Christian moral principles, the authors rely heavily on the Magisteriumof the Catholic Church, and particularly on the writings of Pope Pius XII and Pope John Paul II, as well as on the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the documents of Vatican congregations.

"Catholicism and Ethics," says Fr. Paul Marx of Human Life International, "belongs in every home, rectory, classroom. doctor's or counselor's office, and hospital, as well as every pro-lifer's library. It's an outstanding guide anywhere you need solid, concise teaching on what's right and what's wrong."