CONTRACEPTION & NON-THERAPEUTIC STERILIZATION

CONTRACEPTION & NON-THERAPEUTIC STERILIZATION

• BRIEF HISTORY OF THE PILL

• HUMAN SEXUAL INTERCOURSE

• 2 DIMENSIONS OF SEXUAL INTIMACY

• CONTRACEPTION / DIRECT STERILIZATION

• BIOETHICAL ANALYSIS

• PRINCIPLE OF DOUBLE EFFECT

• ECTOPIC PREGNANCY / CANCEROUS UTERUS

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CONTRACEPTIVE PILL:

MARGARET SANGER (1879-1966):

6th of 11 siblings (18 pgs), nurse @ 20, suffragist, eugenicist, absol control over repr, utilitarian

GREGORY PINCUS (1903-1967): Biologist, Harvard, Hormones; progestins

JOHN ROCK (1890-1984): OB/GYN, Harvard, Catholic, Clinical Trials

CLINICAL TRIALS: Enovid; Puerto Rico, Haiti, Mexico, Los Angeles

FDA APPROVAL: 1957 menstrual regulator, 1960 contraception

PAPAL COMMISSION: Pope John XXIII 1963 (6 members), Pope Paul VI (72 members) report 1966

HUMANAE VITAE (POPE PAUL VI, 1968): 2 dimensions, intrinsic evil, serious reasons, NFP

http://w2.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_25071968_humanae-vitae.html

HUMAN SEXUAL INTERCOURSE, UNIQUE:

• PHYSICAL LEVEL

• PSYCHOLOGICAL LEVEL

• SPIRITUAL LEVEL

Mammals: intercourse (mounting) -> naturally essential for achieving fertilization

In animals, strictly for reproduction (not face-to-face)

Unitive and Procreative Dimensions of Married Love

unitive: bonding, the blending, the intertwining that occurs between spouses in the mutual expression of their love

The human call to love is universal

unique to marital love is the physical sexual intimacy, which has radical implications

first implication: married couple, unlike any other familial or friendship love, share their naked bodies

Human nature: nakedness does not belong between people who have not made a mutual life-long commitment

Ex: when a spouse shares that nakedness with someone other than his or her spouse, and the other spouse finds out, a deep sense of betrayal sets in

Human nature: sexual intimacy be exclusive because, alongside with the physical intimacy there comes also a spiritual intimacy that “seals” those two souls in a very unique and abiding way

Ex: sharing daily experiences, which molds the couple into a new reality that was not there before, and could not be there even if each individual went through the same experience alone

second implication: spiritual intimacy, the spiritual intercourse that also happens when the physical intercourse is honestly lived and properly understood

Unitive significance of marriage = new reality, double bonding ―physical & spiritual―

mutual surrender: 2 naked bodies + 2 naked hearts (Gn 2,24-25)

flows natural desire to make that bond fruitful, with nothing less than creating a new human life = procreative significance

Mammals: intercourse -> naturally essential for achieving fertilization

However, humans don’t reproduce; we procreate

Human intercourse: 2 dimensions are inseparable (complex unity) ex, coin

Regarding the procreative dimension, however, what is inseparable from the unitive dimension is not so much the actual begetting of a child, but rather the desire for doing so

Whether the children actually happen or not, that’s up to the Author of life, the Creator of life

CONTRACEPTION & STERILIZATION

Definition

(sexual intercourse only within valid marriage)

intentional avoidance of having children without serious reason

“default” position in human sexual intercourse is the desire for having children

For grave reasons, it is justified to try to avoid conceiving:

• finances • relocation • emotional instability • medical • many other children • etc.

mature and honest conscience is required for determining what serious reasons are

Various Methods of Artificial Contraception

3 categories: mechanical, chemical and surgical (or combo)

Mechanical: • male and female condom • cervical sponges and caps • Diaphragms • intrauterine devices (IUD)

Chemical: • synthetic estrogens and progestins (oral Pill, “minipill”) • injectable doses • subdermal patches

Surgical: • vasectomy (men) • tubal ligation (women) • hysterectomy (women)

In theory, some surgical sterilizations are reversible; in practice much depends on what type of surgery was done, how long ago, and even fiscal considerations

Some contraceptives are also abortifacient, such as the IUD and possibly the Pill

POSSIBLE ABORTIFACIENTS:

“MORNING AFTER” PILL (PLAN B)

CONTRACEPTIVE PILLS

IUD

Effectiveness, Risks and Side Effects

Most claim success rates 97% ~ 99%

assumes perfect and consistent use, which seldom is the case with humans

risks: • blood clots • Cancer • high blood pressure • Depression • etc

side effects: • Nausea • Vomiting • Dizziness • Headaches • vaginal infections • abdominal pain • irregular bleeding or “spotting”

The Catholic bioethical analysis of contraception is not based on its risks or side effects

• diminished desire for sexual activity • weight gain • increase or decrease in acne • appetite changes • tender breasts • increase or decrease in body hair • vaginal discharge • bone density loss • ectopic pregnancy

Moral Evaluation: Means and Ends

2 dimensions to marriage: unitive and procreative

• The unitive dimension involves the generous mutual love expression of the spouses

• The procreative dimension involves their openness to having children in each act of sexual intercourse

• If either one of these two dimensions is truncated, the marital act is not truly and fully human

Intrinsic Evil

Contraception: introduces a radical separation ÷ unitive <-> procreative

Unitive love w/o procreative love

• even unitive: truncated, defective, pseudo-unit

• act of selfishness and/or of fear (conscious or subconscious)

• betrays a lack of trust in God’s Providence for that couple

Today’s lifestyles = much control over our daily decisions; the more control we have, the further control we want to have

engendering a new human being = God is in control

The role of the couple is to cooperate with God in creating that new life

The couple is given the gift and privilege of being co-creators with God

God decides

God intends: intimate sexual act of husband and wife

love-giving simultaneously

life-giving

Contraception frustrates all this

UNFAIR DYNAMICS OF ARTIFICIAL CONTRACEPTION:

• LIBIDO DIFFERENTIAL

• TURNS SEXUAL INTERCOURSE INTO ENTERTAINMENT

• BURDEN ON THE WOMAN

• PROMOTES CONTRACEPTIVE MENTALITY IN SOCIETY

• SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE (STD) EXPOSURE

2,334,382 TOTAL CASES IN 2017 ALONE

TOTAL US POPULATION 2017 = 325,700,000

~ 1 IN EVERY 14 AMERICANS HAS AN STD

US STD EPIDEMIC:

STDs in U.S. 2017 Reach Record Highs (CDC website)

• Chlamydia = 1,708,569 • Gonorrhea = 555,608 • HIV = 38,643 • Syphilis = 31,562

Bad Medical Practice

contraception and sterilization seek to render a healthy organ inoperative

Thus contraception, honestly speaking, goes against sound medical practice: mutilation

contraception = act of arrogance against God’s created plan

Alternative: develop a deep trust in God’s Plan and Providence

The Church calls God’s Plan and Providence for a married couple a VOCATION

Therapeutic sterilization justified for serious medical reasons

PRINCIPLE OF DOUBLE EFFECT

good act -> 2 simult effects

bad

conditions:

1. the act to be done must be good in itself or at least morally indifferent (independently of its consequences)

2. the good effect must not be obtained by means of the evil effect (evil an incidental by-product, not an actual factor in the accomplishment of the good)

3. the evil effect must not be intended for itself but only permitted (evil desire not permitted)

4. there must be a proportionately grave reason for permitting the evil effect

5. Last resort (no other action w/o evil effect available)

All five conditions must be fulfilled. If any one of them is not satisfied, the act is morally wrong.

ECTOPIC PREGNANCY:

REMOVAL OF TUBE W LIVE UNBORN OK (SALPINGECTOMY)

REMOVAL ONLY OF LIVE UNBORN NOT OK (SALPINGOSTOMY)

CANCEROUS REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM w PREGNANCY:

THERAPY AND/OR HYSTERECTOMY OK (DOUBLE EFFECT)

IN VITRO FERTILIZATION (IVF)

BIOLOGICAL / CLINICAL

Ampulla

Endometrium

DAY 1

DAY 7

IN VIVO FERTILIZATION

IN VITRO FERTILIZATION (IVF)

INTRA-CYTOPLASMIC SPERM INJECTION (ICSI)

LABORATORY: FERTILIZATION

MICRO- MANIPULATORS

HYPEROVULATION (HYPER-STIMULATION, SUPEROVULATION)

Fertility drugs = Clomid or others

NORMAL HUMAN OVARY

HYPEROVULATED OVARY

~12

INCUBATION: 3 ~ 5 DAYS; ZYGOTE TO BLASTOCYST

37 O C

ATTEMPTED IMPLANTATION

1. INSERTION OF CANULA TRHOUGH CERVIX

2. RELEASE OF EMBRYOS INTO UTERUS

CRYOPRESERVATION; liquid Nitrogen

± – 200 O C = – 300 O F

SECOND ATTEMPTED IMPLANTATION

CANULA INSERTION

THREE HUMAN EMBRYOS IN UTERO

“SELECTIVE REDUCTION”

? ?

QUALITY CONTROL

PRE-IMPLANTATION GENETIC DIAGNOSIS (PGD)

MORULA BLASTOMERE

IVF QUALITY CONTROL

BEFORE IMPLANTATION: PGD

AFTER IMPLANTATION: PROCURED ABORTION

IN VITRO FERTILIZATION (IVF)

BIOETHICAL ANALYSIS

Ampulla

DAY 1

DAY 7

Endometrium

IN VITRO FERTILIZATION (IVF)

• DONE IN A LAB

IN VIVO FERTILIZATION

• WHAT OCCURS NATURALLY

IVF Considerations of practice:

• Risk to women due to ovarian hyper-stimulation and egg extraction

• Typical sperm collection by masturbation

• Abortions due to failed implantations

• Abortions due to freezing and thawing of embryos

• Creating and feeding the problem of ~ 1 million frozen human embryos

• What to do with frozen embryos when parents divorce or abandon them

• Denying the child and the human species natural selection

WHAT IS THE END / GOAL OF IVF?

WHAT ARE THE MEANS?

BIOETHICAL ANALYSIS

DO THE ENDS JUSTIFY THE MEANS?

2 MAIN BIOETHICAL CAMPS

UTILITARIAN: YES, THEY DO

PRINCIPLED: NO, THEY DON’T

UTILITARIAN BIOETHICS

ENDS JUSTIFY THE MEANS: A GOOD END JUSTIFIES USING ANY MEANS AVAILABLE,

AS LONG AS IT’S LEGAL.

IVF: ALL HARDSHIPS / KILLINGS / MANIPULATIONS ARE JUSTIFIABLE

FOR GETTING THE INFERTILE COUPLE WHAT THEY WANT; A CHILD

DRIVEN BY MARKET ECONOMY MENTALITY:

• COUPLE WANTS A PRODUCT

• COUPLE CAN PAY FOR THE SERVICES

• IVF INDUSTRY CAN DELIVER THE SERVICE / PRODUCT

FLUORISHING, BUT BOUTIQUE MEDICINE -> CATER TO RICH

IVF INDUSTRY = MULTI-BILLIONS $$$ NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY

UTILITARIAN BIOETHICS: ENDS JUSTIFY THE MEANS

EX. STUDENT LOANS -> I STEAL / ROB

BUT, STEALING IS ILLEGAL; I SHOULDN’T DO IT

NOT BECAUSE IT’S WRONG IN ITSELF,

RATHER, BECAUSE IF I GET CAUGHT, I GO TO PRISON.

THEREFORE, UTILITARIAN BIOETHICS IS LEGALISTIC

THE LAW ESTABLISHES MY MORALITY

YET, LAW IS MINIMAL: MANY HUMAN SITUATIONS ARE NOT COVERED BY THE LAW

TYPICALLY, SITUATIONS OF INTEGRITY

PERSONAL

FAMILY

SOCIETY

BOTTOM LINE: UTILITARIANISM ENDS UP MANIPULATING PEOPLE

ESSENTIALLY, THE ONE WITH THE MOST MONEY, POWER, WHO SHOUTS THE LOUDEST,

OR EVEN JUST PHYSICALLY STRONGER, WILL GET HIS/HER WAY.

ALTERNATIVE: PRINCIPLED BIOETHICS

ENDS DO NOT JUSTIFY THE MEANS; MEANS NEED TO BE JUSTIFIED IN THEMSELVES

iow, NOT SUFFICIENT FOR THE END/GOAL TO BE A GOOD THING

THE MEANS TO ACHIEVE THAT END SHOULD ALSO BE GOOD MEANS.

EX: A COUPLE WANTING TO HAVE A CHILD

THIS IS WHERE IVF FAILS, @ LEVEL OF NOT GOOD MEANS:

HUGE MANIPULATION OF HUMAN LIFE, ESPECIALLY OF WOMEN

• HYPEROVULATION

• PGD: SELECTING OUT THE FEMALE EMBRYOS

• EARLY ABORTIONS DUE TO FREEZING AND THAWING EMBRYOS

• EARLY ABORTIONS DUE TO FAILED IMPLANTATIONS

• SELECTIVE REDUCTION

IVF ALSO FAILS THE CHILD AND HUMANITY AT LARGE:

• DENIES NATURAL SELECTION TO THE CHILD

• DENIES NATURAL SELECTION TO THE HUMAN SPECIES

IVF -> ARTIFICIAL PROCESS:

• BYPASSES NATURAL SELECTION; @ FERTILIZATION AND @ IMPLANTATION

(SEPARATE SELECTION EVENTS)

SELECTIVE PRESSURE VS FERTILIZATION ~ 100,000,000 : 1

SELECTIVE PRESSURE VS IMPLANTATION ~ 2 : 1

BIOETHICAL CONCLUSION:

IVF IS BIOETHICALLY WRONG B/C IT’S A GROSS / HUGE MANIPULATION OF HUMAN LIFE,

ESPECIALLY @ OUR MOST VULNERABLE STAGE –> THE EARLY HUMAN EMBRYO.

A STAGE WHEN WE RADICALLY DEPEND ON OTHERS (THE BORN, ADULTS) TO DEFEND

AND UPHOLD OUR NATURAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO NATURAL SELECTION

AND TO NOT BE MANIPULATED, MANUFACTURED, BOUGHT / SOLD

AS A PRODUCT ON THE SHELF OF A SUPERMARKET.

• EUGENICS

• NUREMBERG TRIALS

• HUMANNESS DOES NOT ACCEPT GRADATION