Grabowski, J. S., & Gross, C. (2010). Dignitas personae and the Adoption of Frozen Embryos: A New Chill Factor? The national Catholic bioethics quarterly, 10(2), 307-328. https://doi.org/10.5840/ncbq201010255
Grabowski JS, Gross C. Dignitas personae and the Adoption of Frozen Embryos: A New Chill Factor? Natl Cathol Bioeth Q. 2010;10(2):307-328. doi:10.5840/ncbq201010255
Grabowski, J. S., and C. Gross. "Dignitas personae and the Adoption of Frozen Embryos: A New Chill Factor?" The national Catholic bioethics quarterly, vol. 10, no. 2, 2010, pp. 307-328.
For EndNote, Zotero or Mendeley:
License
No open license is recorded for this paper. Reuse terms are set by the publisher.
Abstract
The Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith’s Dignitas personae doesnotofferadefinitiverejectionofthepracticeofhumanembryoadoptionas intrinsicallyevil,butneitherdoesitsimplyleavethematteran“openquestion.” The document does indeed oppose the practice, but its reasons for doing so are notclearlystatedandseemtobeintensionwithitsownaffirmationsofthe personal dignity of embryos and the goodness of adoption. The Congregation’s opposition is therefore best read as a prudential judgment that embryo adoption cannotbejustifiedinthepresentcircumstancesduetothepotentialforscandal and the cooperation with the fertility industry which it involves. National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly 10.2(Summer2010):307–328.
This paper looks at the ethics of assisted reproductive technology (ART) from the perspective of the Catholic Church. The three criteria of evaluation of the ethics of ART are the right to life and physical integrity of human beings, the unity of marriage, and the value of human sexuality. The paper examines the arguments based on these criteria carefully, as they apply to in vitro fertilization which is the most common ART method. It concludes that most ART methods would be unacceptable, but there are new alternatives like NaProTechnology that is promising for infertile couples.
To evaluate couples’ perceptions of frozen embryos and their effect on fertility treatment decision making. Longitudinal, prospective, qualitative interview study of couples. Members of 37 couples participated in up to 6 semi-structured interviews over 12 months after scheduling an initial consultation with an infertility specialist (IS) - either a reproductive endocrinologist or urologist. Patients and their partners were interviewed separately by trained independent interviewers and were asked about their views on autologous cryopreservation at one-week and 12-months post consult. This is a secondary analysis of the interview data. Facilitated by NVivo analysis software, we categorized each participant’s comments into four categories and provide illustrative quotes for each. An exploratory study using qualitative data, this work was intended to generate hypotheses and inform future research directions rather than to make statistical comparisons. Initially, many participants expressed that they had no strong feelings regarding the use of autologous cryopreserved embryos, often admitting that they were unaware of what they were, but some participants did express strictly positive, strictly negative, or both positive and negative views (Table). At 12 months, more patients and their partners were familiar with the concept, and more participants discussed specific risks and benefits associated with freezing embryos and their storage. Those who opposed cryopreservation often cited moral or religious objections, but very few had strong enough negative views about embryo disposition to deter them from considering IVF as a treatment option. For most, other considerations, especially finances, were the primary barrier to pursuing IVF. Most patients and partners did not have strong views about autologous cryopreserved embryos after an initial appointment with an IS. At 12 months, stronger attitudes were apparent, but very few had strong enough negative views about embryo disposition to deter them from considering IVF as a treatment option.
Navarro-Rubio S et al., 2021·Journal of religion and health
The Catholic perspective rejects assisted human reproduction techniques, but the morality of artificial insemination (AI) is open for discussion. This article aims to analyze the morality of AI from a new angle, namely whether these interventions exclude all possibility of damaging the human embryo and the offspring's health. The scientific evidence about the children's health who are born through AI allows us to affirm that the procedures do not comply with the principle of damage exclusion: AI does not exclude all possibility of damaging the embryo and impacting the health and exposure to disease of the offspring born through these techniques.
Turczynski C et al., 2022·Linacre Q·Free full text on PubMed Central
This article is a case study illuminating the experience of a cradle Catholic who pursued a career in the field of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) as a laboratory director and embryologist. Twenty years after leaving the field, the observations leading to the crisis of conscience are further amplified by the reports of social, legal, ethical, and medical consequences of the technology. These consequences are explored in detail and can serve as a mini-review of the published scientific literature describing the obstetrical complications, peri-natal outcomes, and the long-term health effects on the offspring. This paper provides the documented evidence that can be used by the religious and medical community for shepherding the flock. The disordered approach to patient care is evidenced by five serious consequences resulting from the use of the technology. These include multiple pregnancy and selective reduction, abandoned and discarded embryos, adverse health effects to the women and children, legal and ethical problems, and human experimentation. An explanation for the adverse consequences can be found by exploring and applying the principles of Natural Law. Natural Law, as embraced by the Catholic Church, can be used as a starting point for conversion of heart for many who struggle with the immorality of ART. Deterring use of the technology coupled with increased motivation by scientist and health professionals to pursue restorative approaches within a moral framework offer our best solution to the treatment of infertility. Natural Law and the consequences of violating it provide evidence that science and medicine should not be practiced in a vacuum void of ethical and moral boundaries grounded in divine Wisdom.
Ethics and Policy › Reproductive Ethics › Embryo Status · Clinical Guidelines and Standards › Guideline Appraisal › Guideline Variation and Disagreement
John S. Grabowski, Christopher Gross
Jack Grabowski, J Grabowski, Chris Gross, C Gross
DOI 10.5840/ncbq201010255 10.5840/ncbq201010255 Grabowski et al. 2010, Grabowski 2010
Cite this article
Grabowski, J. S., & Gross, C. (2010). Dignitas personae and the Adoption of Frozen Embryos: A New Chill Factor? The national Catholic bioethics quarterly, 10(2), 307-328. https://doi.org/10.5840/ncbq201010255
Grabowski JS, Gross C. Dignitas personae and the Adoption of Frozen Embryos: A New Chill Factor? Natl Cathol Bioeth Q. 2010;10(2):307-328. doi:10.5840/ncbq201010255
Grabowski, J. S., and C. Gross. "Dignitas personae and the Adoption of Frozen Embryos: A New Chill Factor?" The national Catholic bioethics quarterly, vol. 10, no. 2, 2010, pp. 307-328.