Hope and Bioethics: The Power of Narrative
We are all called to communicate hope through our personal lives and the professions, cultures and institutions that we are part of. Hope enables us to look to the future with real confidence and is not to be reduced to wishful thinking. Drawing on the inspiring story of Fr Gerard Bourke, a New Zealand priest who was chaplain at the infamous Changi Prison, Fr Michael McCabe illustrates the power of narrative in creating a space for hope to be reborn.
Speaking to a Secular Age
In this article Professor Margaret Somerville, founding Director of the McGill Centre for Medicine, Ethics and Law (Montreal, Canada) reflects on the major reassessment of our collective values that is taking place world-wide; an assessment manifesting as a powerful cultural conflict. All voices, including religious voices, have a right to be heard. The language that some religious people use effectively means they alienate themselves and their views within the democratic public square.
Going Too Far
In New Zealand, as well as overseas, the euthanasia debate is entering a new phase; the view being increasingly expressed is that people with dementia should consider voluntary euthanasia so that more can be spent on the health needs of younger people. Professor Rod McLeod sees this as yet another burden being placed on elderly vulnerable people. He is also concerned that people expressing views to the contrary are dismissed as simply being “sentimental about old people”.
Whangai, Surrogacy and Adoption
Surrogacy is often paralleled with adoption. However, adoption is predicated on the need of the child whereas surrogacy is entirely adult driven. In this sense surrogacy is more akin to the traditional cultural practice of whangai. In light of this Dr Michael McCabe suggests that whangai potentially provides a source of guidance for the complex ethical and moral issues generated by surrogacy.
Submission on the Use of Frozen Eggs in Fertility Treatment
A synthesis of the response prepared by staff of The Nathaniel Centre and sent to the Advisory Committee on Assisted Reproductive Technology (ACART) regarding the proposed use of frozen eggs for fertility treatment.
Submission on the Use of Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis – Saviour Siblings A synthesis of the response prepared by staff of The Nathaniel Centre and sent to the Advisory Committee on Assisted Reproductive Technology (ACART) regarding proposed changes to the use of preimplantation genetic diagnosis for conceiving a child with a specific genetic profile that will benefit an existing sick person.