EDGE: March 29
Respect of All Human Life: Abortion, Stem Cell Research, and Euthanasia
OBJECTIVE:
To develop a deeper awareness of the Catholic social teaching about the respect for all human life.
OVERVIEW:
It is foundational to accept that a person has dignity because he or she is created in the image and likeness of God. As Catholics, we believe that this dignity is inherent from conception to natural death. While there are other topics related to the respect of life and the dignity of the person, this EDGE night will be more specifically about abortion, stem cell research and euthanasia.
These issues are issues that we need to approach with care! Don’t be fooled, it is likely that your middle schooler has heard about these issues. It is important to present the truth of the Catholic Church’s teaching regarding respect for life, “Human life is sacred because from its beginning it involves the creative action of God and it remains for ever in a special relationship with the Creator, who is its sole end. God alone is the Lord of life from its beginning until its end: no one can under any circumstances claim for himself the right directly to destroy an innocent human being” (CCC 2258).
As Catholics, we are called to protect life, especially the smallest, most vulnerable life. From the very beginning, God created man as the highest and most important part of creation. He says that we are “very good.” Man is the pinnacle of all creation. God allows man dominion over all other creation. Being created in the image and likeness of God is the source of our human dignity. It does not come from anything we have done or from another human being – it comes from our Creator.
ABORTION: The Fifth Commandment states: “Thou shall not kill.” All life is sacred and any attempt to bring life to an end unnaturally is murder. Science has demonstrated that from the moment of conception an actual, unified human individual exists. This individual is no less human than any other human at any stage of life. As Catholics, we believe that every individual is made in the image and likeness of God and therefore that life is sacred. From the moment of conception, the individual has the right to life and all other human rights. Every innocent human being has a right to life – a right that may not be violated under any circumstance.
STEM CELL RESEARCH: An embryonic stem cell is a human cell that can become a specified cell. For example, the stem cell can be used to generate cells that make up tissues and organs of the body and can reproduce indefinitely. This helps the cells to regenerate healthy cells for tissues and organs that are diseased. There are two types of human stem cells: embryonic and adult. Scientists must isolate the stem cells in the embryo and in doing so kills the human embryo. However, adult stem cells are found in umbilical cord blood and throughout the body. There is no harm to the individual in retrieving adult stem cells. So far, there has been no successful research or cure found through embryonic stem cells, but numerous diseases to some degree have been successfully treated with adult stem cells. Researchers have also been able to reprogram specific types of mature cells into stem cells, which is a most promising development and does no harm. Not all stem cell research is considered wrong – only adult stem cell research can be done because is does not sacrifice human life in order to retrieve the cells.
For more information on the Catholic Church’s view on stem cell research visit: http://www.usccb.org/prolife/issues/bioethic/stemcell/index.shtml
EUTHANASIA: The Catechism defines euthanasia as, “an act or omission which, of itself or by intention, causes death in order to eliminate suffering constitutes a murder gravely contrary to the dignity of the human person and to the respect due to the living God, his Creator. The error of judgment into which one can fall in good faith does not change the nature of this murderous act, which must always be forbidden or excluded” (2277).
Euthanasia is often cited as a reason to help ease someone that is suffering. The Church recognizes the redemptive value in our suffering and through compassion, calls us to “suffer with” those in need. We recognize that God is the Lord of all life from conception to its natural end. Each person is owed “ordinary care” which include acts of comfort, pain management, love and support.
Other important Catechism References: 2258, 2271, 2276, 2277
Important Scriptural References: Psalm 139, John 10: 10
Summary Challenge (Points to Remember):
1. Each human life is sacred and should be protected from conception until natural death.
2. Abortion and embryonic stem cell research are an attack on life because they destroy life in its most precious and vulnerable state.
3. Life is to be respected until its natural end because God is the Lord of life. Those who are sick and dying should be treated with respect and care.
4. As middle school youth, you can have a positive and powerful voice in the protection of human life, through prayer and being educated about the issues. Say not that you are too young!
- The word of the LORD came to me thus:
- Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you.”Ah, Lord GOD!” I said, “I know not how to speak; I am too young. But the LORD answered me, Say not, “I am too young.” To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak. Have no fear before them, because I am with you to deliver you, says the LORD. Then the LORD extended his hand and touched my mouth, saying, See, I place my words in your mouth! This day I set you over nations and over kingdoms, To root up and to tear down, to destroy and to demolish, to build and to plant.
http://www.usccb.org/prolife/issues/bioethic/stemcell/index.shtml
