Moira's Blog

BioEdge: IVF linked to risk of birth defects and heart disease

2012-04-23T07:56:00.001-04:00

BioEdge: IVF linked to risk of birth defects and heart disease

Yet another article pointing out long term problems for children born through IVF.

People thinking about using these procedures need to know as much as possible before giving their consent.

UN women's commission rejects expansion of 'reproductive rights' :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)

2012-04-05T10:32:00.001-04:00

See the important comments by the Holy See and by representatives of other countries re rejecting the expansion of women's reproductive rights, which would include abortifacient drugs and so on:

UN women's commission rejects expansion of 'reproductive rights' :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)

Inside World Report: Watch Online

2012-04-03T09:46:00.001-04:00

I have been fortunate enough to be invited to speak on some CTS programmes, not only about bioethics, but about other aspects of morality. I am grateful to the producers there for including Catholic voices, and admire their ministry in the public square

Inside World Report: Watch Online

Ethicists give thumbs-up to infanticide

2012-02-25T11:06:00.000-05:00

Ethicists give thumbs-up to infanticide

Two more ethicists join Peter Singer in claiming that, it abortion is acceptable, why not infanticide?

Indeed, in terms of those who hold an abortion - accepting mindset, their claim is not absurd.

BUT, in terms of being against the taking of life at any stage, their claim should give us further pause for pressing for the issue of abortion to be constantly at the forefront of our demands for justice in society. Infanticide? It is difficult to imagine most people accepting that practice, but stranger claims have distorted our moral thinking before. Also, if euthanasia is ever legalized, there will be even less support for the inviolability of human life.

The Guardian, Britain’s liberal newspaper, has warm praise for the Catholic Church. The subject? Death | CatholicHerald.co.uk

2012-02-22T22:06:00.000-05:00

The Guardian, Britain’s liberal newspaper, has warm praise for the Catholic Church. The subject? Death | CatholicHerald.co.uk

Of course we know how to talk about death! We know how to talk about the beginning of life, too, and why there are problems with reproductive technology, and so on.
Catholic teaching is so all-encompassing because so much effort and concern goes into formulating it. Not only that - it's free!

Beautifully written article by Fr. Lucie-Smith.

2012-02-22T21:56:00.001-05:00

Two important items today re freedom of conscience and freedom of religion:

1. Cardinal Dolan's letter to the US Senate urging the members to pass a Bill to protect conscience. In light of the anger that HHS has roused through attempting to impose mandatory contraceptive provision to every employee requesting such from every employer, the Catholic Church is doing its job of objecting to doing something it considers wrong, and is demanding protection of conscience, as is its constitutional right. Way to go!!

2. A Washington court just struck down a law mandating the sale of emergency contraceptives by pharmacists who cannot comply for reasons of conscience. Let's hope this decision gathers momentum!

The Complexities Involved In End Of Life Care

2012-02-22T21:09:00.000-05:00

The Complexities Involved In End Of Life Care

Recognition that palliative care involves spiritual and emotional comfort in preserving the dignity of the person in his or her last days.

In conversation: Thomas Collins - The Interview - Macleans.ca

2012-02-21T11:12:00.000-05:00

In conversation: Thomas Collins - The Interview - Macleans.ca

Balanced - wise - prolife in the best way - media friendly: Toronto's new Cardinal!

National anti-suicide bill gets overwhelming multi-party support

2012-02-18T12:05:00.000-05:00

Excellent article from BC Catholic!

This is an area where people of all faiths and none can cooperate, to try to prevent death in so many situations where there ARE alternatives, but where people need help to find them.

See also my article on "Suicide and the Elderly" under our Publications tab on the CCBI website.

National anti-suicide bill gets overwhelming multi-party support

Joseph Rowntree Foundation challenges society to think differently about ageing - News - National End of Life Care Programme

2012-02-16T15:27:00.000-05:00

From England and Wales - relevant in Canada and elsewhere:

Joseph Rowntree Foundation challenges society to think differently about ageing - News - National End of Life Care Programme

Inside World Report: Watch Online

2012-02-15T23:17:00.000-05:00

Producer Christine Williams of CTS asked Jim Cantelon and me to discuss Stephen Woodworth's Bill challenging Parliament to revisit the definition of a human being

Inside World Report: Watch Online

Religious exemptions in the US?

2011-11-23T12:36:00.001-05:00

Check this out:

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pro-life-democrats-predict-broad-religious-exemption-from-contraception-mandate/

We will look at the outcome after the vote/ Implications here not just for Catholic institutions in the US, but of interest in Canada

GenETHX Blog Bioethics Research Library: NHGRI Leaders Provide Strategic Plan

2011-10-17T09:07:00.000-04:00

Broadly-based information:

GenETHX Blog Bioethics Research Library: NHGRI Leaders Provide Strategic Plan: Eric Green, M.D., Ph.D. Credit: Maggie Bartlett, NHGRI This paper from National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) Director Eric ...

ZENIT - Anglican Archbishop on East Africa Food Crisis

2011-10-08T17:20:00.000-04:00

Another example of ecumenism at work for the common good:
ZENIT - Anglican Archbishop on East Africa Food Crisis

ZENIT - Cardinal Sarah on the Drought in East Africa

2011-10-08T17:18:00.000-04:00

"A school in every village in Africa!" Cardinal Sarah's work at Cor Unum calls for education, and bioethicists must recognize that education is necessary for the best use and delivery of health care = both are needed, and both are parts of the Church's mission.

ZENIT - Cardinal Sarah on the Drought in East Africa

Maternal health group denied funding over Catholic beliefs :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)

2011-10-06T19:47:00.000-04:00

Incredible that such important work is denied funding. Global health care initiatives are about CARE, not about religion.

Maternal health group denied funding over Catholic beliefs :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)

Life and Family: The “Morning-After Pill”, Rape Victims and Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)

2011-10-06T19:45:00.000-04:00

Life and Family: The “Morning-After Pill”, Rape Victims and Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)

ZENIT - Benedict XVI Prays for Terminally Ill

2011-10-01T12:06:00.000-04:00

From Zenit news - Specifically for the month of October, but actually in perpetuity

ZENIT - Benedict XVI Prays for Terminally Ill

ZENIT - Mexico High Court Upholds States' Defense of Unborn

2011-10-01T12:03:00.000-04:00

An interesting development these days!

ZENIT - Mexico High Court Upholds States' Defense of Unborn

Observers see gay agenda threatening religious freedom :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)

2011-09-29T11:29:00.000-04:00

Implications for Canada in civics, education, bioethics, and so on...

Observers see gay agenda threatening religious freedom :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)

Catholics obligated to defend right to life, emphasizes cardinal :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)

2011-09-29T11:26:00.000-04:00

Catholics obligated to defend right to life, emphasizes cardinal :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)

Ever new...

2011-06-24T15:31:00.001-04:00

Hello Friends,

The recent celebration of Father's Day made me realize once again how important that role is, how ordinary it can appear, yet how extraordinary it really is. It is so important that we keep the second meaning in our consciousness, at least some of the time. Otherwise the gift of life and of parenthood become somewhat trivial, of less importance than, say, progressing in our careers, or saving up to buy a bigger house. Both of those goals are, of course, laudable, but putting children after these items in any list of priorities runs the risk of materialism triumphing over the personal and relational aspects of our nature.

My son and daughter-in -law are rejoicing in their new-found status of expecting a baby. They are excited and thrilled at seeing the baby through ultrasound, and at hearing its rapid heartbeat. As grandmother to this tiny person, I too, marvel at the progress the little one is making. Yes, of course every tiny being appears these days on ultrasound, and of course every little one's heart beats rapidly, and most of us have had these experiences several times, if not more. Yet they are ever new, and our rejoicing with expectant parents is 100%! Anything less does not honour that little one in the womb, who is already one of us, albeit at the earliest stages.

In the ongoing abortion debate, those are optimistic know that the truth of human life and personhood will ultimately prevail. We really have to deceive ourselves about the truth of human life, and stress the unimportance of the baby's growth and heartbeat if we decide to dispose of it. Humane people cannot go on doing that forever, while rejoicing at those same developments in other pregnancies. It is not rational, and it does not answer the deep realization within each one of us that new human life has a deep mystery about it, a mystery that we will never fully comprehend, yet we recognize it and want to welcome this child, because we KNOW it is one of us, another of God's gifts to the world.

Test can help prove whether a cell is pluripotent - Related Stories - BIO SmartBrief

2011-03-29T14:19:00.000-04:00

Test can help prove whether a cell is pluripotent - Related Stories - BIO SmartBrief

Studies: Gene mutations appear to be common in iPS cells - Related Stories - BIO SmartBrief

2011-03-29T14:18:00.000-04:00

Studies: Gene mutations appear to be common in iPS cells - Related Stories - BIO SmartBrief

Woman Gives Birth to Her Grandson

2011-02-16T15:38:00.001-05:00