Issues in Sexual Ethics

Continuation

 

Sexuality and Contrasting Goals

(From Stanley Hauerwas, Community of Character)

The Private/Consumerist The Public/Heroic

1. goal--happiness goal--Kingdom of God

2. self-actualization hope and diligence in it

3. sex is a need which must be fulfilled Church is the institution

of hope--intergenerational

4. sexual fulfill is necessary for self-actualization marriage is a way to perpetuate the

intergenerational hope

5. engage in a sexual relationship fidelity and persistence are necessary

to sustain marriage

6. the commitment is proportional to fulfillment these virtues shape one's character

of the relationship; commitment is not

necessary if both freely consent

7. marriage is justified if contributes to one's one engages in sex to express one's virtue

happiness and commitment to marriage

8. the Church blesses the decision marriage promotes the Church's vocation

9. God blesses the Church's decisions Singleness and Celibates are justified as an

alternative to the Consumer model and for

service to the Kingdom of God

 

 

Issues in Reproduction: In Vitro Fertilization and Surrogate Mothering

Definition--either fertilizing or transferring a fertilized egg into a "vitro" environment for gestation

The ethical issue--can and if so, in what way are they a promotion of a moral commitment

 

Various Arguments

The United States Bishops of the Roman Catholic Church, "Instruction on Respect for Human Life in Its Origin and on the Dignity of Procreation"

  1. Basic Criteria
  1. respect, defense, and promotion of humanity
  2. human dignity is in the union of body and soul in communion with God
    1. the person is a totality
    2. the body is not just tissue
  1. Two practical criteria:
  1. life of the person is sacred
  2. means of transmission of human life is through sexual union in marriage--natural law
  1. Problems with IVF and Embryo Transplant
  1. devoid of conjugal act and hence violates natural law
  2. child's dignity is jeopardizes by cheapening the body
  3. shows continual dominance of technology

 

Charles Meyer "A Question of Ethics: In Vitro Fertilization"

  1. Necessary questions to raise:
  1. is there a consensus--cannot base judgment on consensus because it's not there
  2. who should do it--should be limited to married people using their own gametes
    1. they can best assure the physical and emotional success for the child
    2. limited to couples with fertility defects; surrogates can be used
  1. why should we do it--not as a "convenience item"
  1. Most serious problem--status of the embryo
  1. it's a human not a person with civil rights
  2. because it's a human should not be treated capriciously
  3. freezing embryos is too questionable to do
  4. what to do with defective embryos--don't need to mimic nature but must respect its dignity
  1. IVF is not a social right
  2. The charge of starting a "slippery slope"--it's still worth the risk

 

John A. Robertson, "Surrogate Mothers: Not So Novel After All"

  1. an alternative to agency adoptions
  2. all the parties can benefit
  3. potential problems:
  1. can cause painful adjustments to all persons
  2. the child can feel alienated by separating genetic and gestational mothers

    3. 1) contrary to traditional family model

  3. the surrogate may change her mind
  4. using birth for selfish ends; like Brave New World; but cannot totally eliminate selfishness
  5. treats the surrogate as just a baby-making machine
  1. Government's role--to enforce the contract
  2. Not what we do but how we do it--the issue is how to bring about the best results