Biomedical Ethics 3. (Begining of Life Issues)

Dr. Felix Podimattam is one of the best-known moral theologians in India & outside. Besides his full time job as a professor, he finds time to write books at an amazing rate. He has authored 136 books. Besides his Master's degree in Political Science from Mysore, he holds a Licentiate in Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, & subsequently a Doctorate in Moral Theology from the Alphonsian Academy, Rome. 'His post-doctoral studies were pursued in Washington, DC, USA. At present he is professor of Moral Theology at St. Francis Theological College, Kottayam, Kerala, India. CONTENTS INTRODUCTION CHAPTERONE PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS 1. Gene Advances BringEthical Quandaries 2. Personal and Corporate Ethical Code 3. The Right to Health Care and Distributive Jus tice. 4. ChristianFai th and the Disposing of Human Life CHAPTER TWO ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION 1. Morality of AIH 1.1. Official Teaching of theChurch 1.2. Moral Theological Discussion on AIH 2. Morality of AID 2.1. Official Teaching of the Church. 2.2. Moral Theological Discussion on AID CHAPTER THREE AMNIOCENTESIS 1. Introductory Observations 2. Ethical Aspects of Sex Selection 3. Pastoral Considerations CHAPTER FOUR CONTRACEPTION. 1. Teaching of Pope Paul VI on Contraception 2. Statement of Bishops. 3. Opinion of Theologians 4. Conviction of the People of God CHAPTER FIVE STERILIZATION 1. Moral Aspects of Sterilization in General 1.1. Teaching of the Official Church 1.2. Moral Theological Discussion 1.2.1. Opinion of Theologians 1.2.2. Theological Reasons 1.2.3. Limitations of the Arguments of the Official Church 2. Moral Aspects of Sterilization of the Mentally Handicapped Biomedical Ethics 3. Morality of Removal of Uterus of Mentally Retarded Women 4. Sterilization and Christian Hospitals CHAPTER SIX HUMAN CLONING FOR THERAPEUTIC PURPOSES 1. Morality of Cloningin Christian Teaching 2. Moralitv of Cloningin the Opinion of Theologians 2.1. Morality of Reproductive Cloning 2.2. Morality of Therapeutic Cloning: Human Stem CellTherapv272 2.2.1. Human Embryonic Stem Cell Therapy 2.2.2. Human Adult Stem CeU Therapy CHAPTER SEVEN HUMAN GENOME PROJECT AND GENE THERAPY l.The Human Genome Project (HGP) By the Numbers The Wheat from the Chaff How the Human Compares with Other Organisms Variations and Mutations Applications, Future Challenges 2. Gene Therapy. 2.1. Nature of Gene Therapy 2.2. Ethics of Gene Therapy 2.2.1. Ethics of Gene Therapy in General 2.2.2. Ethics of Somatic Gene Therapy 2.2.3. Ethics of Human Germline Gene Therapy 3. Theological Problems 3.2. The Human Genome Project and Trans -Human Species 3.3. Scicnce, Theology, and the Origin of Life. CHAPTER EIGHT OTHER KINDRED ISSUES 1. Ethics of Surgery 2. Surrogate Parenthood 2.1. Legal Considerations 2.2. Moral Considerations 2.2.1. Official Teaching of the Church 2.2.2. Moral Theological Discussion 3. Parenthood at an C )lder Age 4. Morality of Adopting Frozen Embryos CONCLUSION BIBLIOGRAPHY ENDNOTES