Reflections on Aging
In a society where life is dominated by haste, agitation and frequently by neurosis, the affective, moral and religious values embodied by older people are an indispensible resource for fostering the harmony of our society. In this reflective article, Michael McCabe offers insights into the aging process drawing together thoughts from a variety of theological writers such as Saint Paul, Teilhard de Chardin, Abbott John Bamberger and Pope John Paul II.
Hope and Despair – the Funding of Herceptin
This article offers an honest and informed view regarding the contentious question of the funding of the cancer drug Herceptin. Tracing the debate in New Zealand back to its beginnings, Sharron Cole concludes that, for a variety of reasons, and despite the huge publicity that has surrounded this drug, relatively few people are able to separate the myth from the reality.
Who Gets Born? A Response from The Nathaniel Centre
In June of this year the New Zealand Bioethics Council released its report on the cultural, ethical and spiritual aspects of pre-birth testing. At the time, The Nathaniel Centre responded to the key findings of the report. It is a concern of staff at The Nathaniel Centre that if all the recommendations of the report are heeded we will find ourselves moving towards a less just and less inclusive society. That response is here reprinted in full.
The Wisdom of Enough
In a world in which eight hundred million people around the world are chronically malnourished we must resist the feelings of helplessness that beget inertia. It is not enough to pray or to write articles. There are things we can do as individuals. In particular, writes renowned New Zealand writer Joy Cowley, we must understand the great freedom and pleasure there is in living without excess.
Using the Internet to Research Bioethics – A Resource
The internet provides an accessible source of information on bioethics and is frequently the first source of information for many people. However, the ease with which the information can be added to the internet means that there is a huge range in terms of quality and accuracy. This article provides a series of links to various Bioethical websites, Catholic and other, chosen by staff of The Nathaniel Centre.