FINALITÀ
The course will examine significant issues in the area of medical and health care ethics. After establishing the governing principles based on an adequate understanding of the human person, it will apply these to bioethical areas such as human reproduction and genetics, the human embryo and to health care and end-of-life issues.
ARGOMENTI
Main topics: Human Person - Fundamental Principles of Bioethics; Human Reproduction: Human Sexuality, Natural Reproduction, Assisted Reproduction, Natural Regulation of Birth and Artificial Contraception, Sterilization; Human Genetics: Human Genome, Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Human Cloning and Stem-cell research; Human Embryo: Abortion, Prenatal Diagnosis, Interventions on the Human Embryo; End of Life issues: Euthanasia, Aggressive Medical Treatment, Palliative Care, Brain Death and Organ Transplants.
Learning Outcomes:
• At the end of the course the students will have adequate knowledge of the Catholic bioethical Magisterium. They will also be able to make a pastoral application of authentic moral principles when facing difficult bioethical issues.
TESTI
Ashley, Benedict, Jean DeBlois and Kevin O’Rourke. Health Care Ethics – A Catholic Theological Analysis. 5th Edition. Washington, D.C.: Georgetown University Press, 2006.
Basterra, Francesco. Bioethics. Minnesota: The Liturgical Press, 1994.
Häring, Bernard. Medical Ethics. Slough: St. Paul Publications, 1991.
Lobo, George. Current Problems in Medical Ethics: A Comprehensive Guide to Ethical Problems in Medical Practice. Bombay: Better Yourself Books, 1980.
Lucas, Ramón. Bioetica per tutti. Milano: San Paolo, 2002.
McCarthy, Donald, Edward Bayer, and John Leies, Edited by. Handbook on Critical Life Issues. Bangalore: TPI, 2004.
Reich, Warren Thomas. Edited by. Encyclopedia of Bioethics. 4 Volumes. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster Macmillan, 1995.
Sgreccia, Elio. Manuale di Bioetica. 2 Volumes. Milan: Vita e Pensiero, 2000.
Shannon, Thomas. Edited by. Bioethics. New York: Paulist Press, 1993.
_____. Introduction to Bioethics. New York: Paulist Press, 1997.
Tettamanzi, Dionigi. Nuovo bioetica cristiana. Casale Monferrato: Piemme, 2000.
Important Church Documents:
Catechism of the Catholic Church. Strathfield: St. Paul Publications, 2000.
(CDF) Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Declaration on Procured Abortion. Vatican City: LEV, 1974.
_____. Persona Humana – Declaration on Certain Questions concerning Sexual Ethics. Vatican City: LEV, 1975.
_____. Declaration on Euthanasia. Vatican City: LEV, 1980.
_____. Donum Vitae – Instruction on Respect for Human Life in its Origin and on the Dignity of Procreation: Replies to Certain Questions of the Day. Vatican City: LEV, 1987.
_____. Responses to questions proposed concerning “Uterine Isolation” and related matters. Vatican City: LEV, 1993.
_____. Dignitas Personae – Instruction on Certain Bioethical Questions. Vatican City: LEV, 2008.
John Paul II. Veritatis Splendor. Encyclical Letter Regarding Certain Fundamental Questions of the Church’s Moral Teaching. Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 1994.
_____. Evangelium Vitae: Encyclical Letter on the Value and Inviolability of Human Life. Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 1995.
Neuner, Joseph and Jacques DuPuis, Edited by. The Christian Faith: Doctrinal Documents of the Catholic Church. Bangalore: Theological Publications of India, 1981.
Paul VI. Humanae Vitae: Encyclical Letter on the Regulation of Births. Boston: Pauline Books and Media, 1968.
Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church. Vatican City: LEV, 2004.
Pontifical Council for Pastoral Assistance to Health Care Workers. Charter for Health Care Workers. Bombay: Pauline Publications, 1995.
Pontifical Council for the Family. Enchiridion on the Family: A Compendium of Church Teaching on Family and Life Issues from Vatican II to the Present. Boston: Pauline Books and Media, 2004.
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. «Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services» in Origins 24/27 (15 December 1994): 449-464.