If you are looking for online resources in bioethics, here are a couple of useful sites (following on from my recent post about the distortion of language in bioethical reporting).
Dolly the Cloned Sheep
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has a bioethics page with links to various articles and downloadable pamphlets. The topics include: stem cell research, cloning, genetic enhancement, IVF, eugenics, human dignity, reproductive technology, etc.
The Anscombe Bioethics Centre is the main Christian bioethics institute in Britain. The resources are here (articles, publications, newsletters, etc); and there is a big list of articles and links here at their old Linacre Centre site (I’m not sure if all these articles have been moved over yet).
I also happened to come across this very informative blog last week called Mary Meets Dolly, “A Catholic’s Guide to Genetics, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology”. The author, Rebecca Taylor, has her own page of links (I can’t recommend them all as I haven’t looked at them all yet…). And this is from her ‘About’ page:
My name is Rebecca Taylor. I am a clinical laboratory specialist in molecular biology, and more importantly, a practicing Catholic. I have been writing and speaking about Catholicism and biotechnology for five years. I have been interviewed on EWTN radio on topics from stem cell research and cloning to voting pro-life.
All of this began several years ago when I was discussing stem cells and cloning with an older gentleman at a family party. He was very knowledgeable about biotechnology, but was surprised about many little-known and quite misleading facts. He asked where I had gathered those facts, and I told him I was reading every pertinent scientific reference I could get my hands on. He looked me in the eye and said, “Young lady, it is not good enough to read, you must do something!” I found out later he was a former U.S. congressman from California.
Indeed, I began to notice a general lack of understanding about contemporary issues in genetics, genetic engineering, and reproductive technology, issues that have shaped, and will continue to shape, the future of humanity, for good or ill. I work with professionals whose business is medical genetics, and even they are confused about the pragmatics, not to mention the ethics, surrounding cloning, stem cells, and recent advances in genetic engineering. If professionals could be confused, I feared that the average Catholic would feel lost amidst the scientific jargon and, unfortunately, the hype.
I decided to start marymeetsdolly.com to try and provide Catholics with solid, pertinent resources and clear, plain commentary so they could be more conversant with the issues proffered by the newest of the “brave new world” movements.
With this website, I hope to take what I have learned (through months of studying the technologies and ethical stances involved) and explain the advances and the issues in terms the person-on-the-street can understand. With the help of my father, a theologian, I hope to juxtapose and illuminate today’s genetic research and engineering with the Church’s teachings on the sanctity of human life.
At this site, Catholics can find information to better understand stem cell research, therapeutic and reproductive cloning, genetic testing, and much more. The Topics section has articles covering various technologies; what is moral, what is immoral. It also has articles on pertinent topics by other authors. The Books section has a reading list for those who want to do their own research. The Links page has a list of websites through which one can keep up to date in this rapidly changing field. The Glossary page lists important terms and their definitions. The Church Teaching page has official Catholic Church teaching on reproductive issues and the sanctity of human life. The Blog has my daily thoughts on new developments and a chance for you to respond. And my favorite, the Quotes section, has all the verbal gems I have found that say it all.
On the question of language, see her post about whether our understanding of when human life begins is a matter of belief or of knowledge.
I just read about life beginning at conception. And I had a sudden flash of the eternal. If we believe in God, and we believe in eternity. Surely that doesn’t just mean extended heavenly life beyond death but also life before birth?.
Eternal life.
Each child I have given birth to, came from a place of almost prophecy for want of a better expression. A deepest knowing that that child was meant to be, for what ever reasons which are beyond me.
If we come from God, then maybe life does not start at conception, but in the spirit before hand. Even more reason to be protected.
Anna x Bless you and my afternoon of Egypt, for your prayers and your poignant Ave Maria xxx Thank you xxx
Thanks for the link. I took a year off from my science studies and spent a year at Blackfriars College in Oxford. I miss the beer, the adverts, BBC on the tele and the Brit sense of humor! Oh and REAL Cadbury, not that awful stuff made by Herseys that says its Cadbury.
That’s a coincidence – I spent two years at Blackfriars! A long time ago now (1990-92) just before I went to seminary. Lots of happy memories and friendships, and it was a great theological formation.
Crazy! I was there 1993-1994. I worked at the Turf Tavern to make ends meet. Was Brian Davies there when you were there? You can imagine an American chemistry student did not do so well studying English Lit, Philosophy and Latin at Blackfriars, but I did it anyway. The end of term parties with the Blackfriars wine was always a good time!
We just missed each other. Brian Davies taught me Aquinas – it was a great course. Best wishes.