Where do medicine and Catholicism collide?

[Chris1112]

Greetings! I’m about 2-3 weeks into exploring the Catholic faith and am also an undergraduate student on a premed track. Recently, my biology class was examining sperm cells under the microscope. I realized these cells were likely obtained in a manner not related to reproduction… and then felt confused on what exactly my response to this situation would be if I converted to Catholicism. (I think obtaining sperm for the use of science and not reproduction would be incorrect based off Catholic teachings, right? Or, did I completely miss the point on that subject?)

I was completely caught off guard by the sperm cells scenario and would much rather prefer to learn about potential hot topics ahead of time if possible. I’ve done a lot of reading already about abortion and birth control, but was wondering what other issues I should explore as relevant to a possible future as both a medical practitioner (no specialty intended at this time) and as a Catholic?

I’m not basing a conversion decision on how well it will compliment a career so any and all feedback is appreciated. Thanks kindly for your time and patience!

** If I’m posing in the wrong forum, would someone please kindly explain to me how to tell which forum is appropriate for a topic?

 

[1ke]

Well, the question on the sperm cells depends upon how they were appropriated as to the morality of the acquisition. As far as you looking at them under the microscope, I would say you are not cooperating with any evil as you are very far removed from that end of the equation.

In addition to abortion and contraception, there are many other ethical issues for potential physicians.

Assisted reproductive technology, embryonic stem cell research, end of life decisions and treatments such as artificial nutrition/hydration, and organ donation (i.e. organs that are harvested upon “brain death” but preceding actual death) are some of these.

I would suggest you go to the websites of the Catholic medical association, and the Catholic bioethics center. Get a mentor who is a Catholic physician.

www.ncbcenter.org

www.cathmed.org

 

[CB_Catholic]

Greetings! I’m about 2-3 weeks into exploring the Catholic faith and am also an undergraduate student on a premed track. Recently, my biology class was examining sperm cells under the microscope. I realized these cells were likely obtained in a manner not related to reproduction… and then felt confused on what exactly my response to this situation would be if I converted to Catholicism. (I think obtaining sperm for the use of science and not reproduction would be incorrect based off Catholic teachings, right? Or, did I completely miss the point on that subject?)

I was completely caught off guard by the sperm cells scenario and would much rather prefer to learn about potential hot topics ahead of time if possible. I’ve done a lot of reading already about abortion and birth control, but was wondering what other issues I should explore as relevant to a possible future as both a medical practitioner (no specialty intended at this time) and as a Catholic?

I’m not basing a conversion decision on how well it will compliment a career so any and all feedback is appreciated. Thanks kindly for your time and patience!

** If I’m posing in the wrong forum, would someone please kindly explain to me how to tell which forum is appropriate for a topic?

I think you might get better responses if you had this moved to the Moral Theology Forum under Apologetics. You can ask the Moderators to do this.

 

[Chris1112]

Wow. There are a lot of issues I’ve taken for granted as being ethical just because they are common that I really need to take a second look at…I’m making a list.

Thank you for the links 1ke… I found this at the NCB: “Annual print and electronic subscription to The National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly, a professional journal presenting insights by leading Catholic bioethicists on current issues posed by developments in medicine, science, and biotechnology.” Perfect! Exactly what I need to be reading!

I didn’t even think about a physician mentor, but that makes sense… I’m having a “duh, why didn’t I think of that” moment.

I submitted a request to have the thread moved to a more appropriate thread, sorry for any trouble in the meantime.

 

[SugarMagnolia]

You might want to consider a different career, since medicine would be in conflict with so many Catholic beliefs. If you do become a doctor, choose something like dentistry or podiatry where there won’t be anything to conflcit with your belief system.

 

[aspirant]

Well, the question on the sperm cells depends upon how they were appropriated as to the morality of the acquisition. As far as you looking at them under the microscope, I would say you are not cooperating with any evil as you are very far removed from that end of the equation.

Yup.

I found this at the NCB: “Annual print and electronic subscription to The National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly, a professional journal presenting insights by leading Catholic bioethicists on current issues posed by developments in medicine, science, and biotechnology.” Perfect! Exactly what I need to be reading!

NCBQ is an excellent publication.

You should also check out some books by respected, orthodox Catholic bioethicists and moral theologians. Dr. William E. May comes to mind.

 

[adstrinity]

You might want to consider a different career, since medicine would be in conflict with so many Catholic beliefs. If you do become a doctor, choose something like dentistry or podiatry where there won’t be anything to conflcit with your belief system.

And if no Catholics studied medicine, how would we discover alternatives to what is contrary to the Natural Law?

I want to know why you were made to look at sperm cells, what is it you were supposed to see and what is it you were trying to learn?

 

[Chris1112]

And if no Catholics studied medicine, how would we discover alternatives to what is contrary to the Natural Law?

I want to know why you were made to look at sperm cells, what is it you were supposed to see and what is it you were trying to learn?

Basically, we were learning to recognize different cells by sight and how to locate and identify them as quickly as possible based on visual differences. In the sperm example, we were asked to identify if sperm from the same donor are all similar or if they have differences in size, etc. amongst each other. I suppose we could have used photographs to do this, but I think we use slides for the purpose of familiarity in using a microscope.

I don’t currently foresee being Catholic as a barrier to studying medicine as I’m sure whatever profession I explored I would run into dilemmas that challenged my faith.

 

[aspirant]

I don’t currently foresee being Catholic as a barrier to studying medicine as I’m sure whatever profession I explored I would run into dilemmas that challenged my faith.

We need good Catholic doctors.

“Hold the physician in honor, for he is essential to you, and God it was who established his profession. From God the doctor has his wisdom, and the king provides for his sustenance. His knowledge makes the doctor distinguished, and gives him access to those in authority. God makes the earth yield healing herbs which the prudent man should not neglect; Was not the water sweetened by a twig that men might learn his power? He endows men with the knowledge to glory in his mighty works, through which the doctor eases pain and the druggist prepares his medicines; Thus God’s creative work continues without cease in its efficacy on the surface of the earth. My son, when you are ill, delay not, but pray to God, who will heal you: Flee wickedness; let your hands be just, cleanse your heart of every sin; offer your sweet-smelling oblation and petition, a rich offering according to your means. Then give the doctor his place lest he leave; for you need him too. There are times that give him an advantage, and he too beseeches God That his diagnosis may be correct and his treatment bring about a cure. He who is a sinner toward his Maker will be defiant toward the doctor.”

 

[centurionguard]

**Since the treatment of the (“whole person”) is the fundamental concern of medicine, health care professionals, themselves must come to a personal understanding of the meaning of life, health, suffering, and death. The tendency today to look upon health as a consumer commodity rendered through an increasing advanced technology depersonalizes health care by approaching it from a purely functional and physical perspective.

From such a standpoint the failure to relieve pain and prevent death is the greatest failure. It is only when health care professionals have personally come to grips with the mystery of suffering and death, can doctors and nurses properly minister to the sick, the suffering and those who are terminally ill. Real valued health care is dependent on the existential attitude of a doctor and nurse and how they see death which will determine not only their own relationships but also the very understanding of the healing profession as a whole.
Suffering and death are an integral part of human life in its physical, and temporal existence.
Embracing that mystery alone allows us transcend that part of our humanity with God being our focal point at heart.**

 

[Chris1112]

Centurionguard and Aspirant: Thank you so much for posts, I can’t tell you how inspiring and eye-opening they are.

I’ve always wanted to serve in a profession that directly helped people and medicine seemed natural because I also enjoy science and problem-solving. Suddenly, I feel much more inspired and passionate about this profession because I can see how its not so much ‘Catholicism vs Medicine’ but this career will be part of living my faith too. I like Centurionguard’s points – its a good reality check that being Catholic will likely make me a better physician and better able to help others (although, not why I’m on the path to conversion.)

I love the quote, aspirant, I’m printing this one out and putting it some place I can read everyday. I used to tell myself I was doing what I was doing because I wanted to help people, but this blows my former motivation completely out of the water.

 

[SamDash]

I believe one in four hospitals in the United States is a Catholic hospital. Obviously, the bishops that open and fund those hospitals don’t see any conflict. In fact, the Catholic Church invented the hospital.

About 99.99% of the practice of medicine presents no conflict whatsoever with Catholic teaching. There’s a lot more to medicine than abortion, artificial insemination and the destruction of embryos.

 

[japhy]

I would expect it is possible to extract sperm cells surgically rather than, ahem, manually. And if those cells were only to be used for scientific examination, rather than for sexual experimentation (i.e. fertilizing an ovum), I do not think there would be an issue with that. (Also, were these necessarily human sperm?)

I would also recommend reading Sirach 38:1-15. This book (not found in Protestant editions of the Bible, which might explain why some Protestant denominations despise medicine and doctors) is full of wisdom, and chapter 38 begins with praise for the profession of physician:

[1] Honor the physician with the honor due him, according to your need of him, for the Lord created him; [2] for healing comes from the Most High, and he will receive a gift from the king. [3] The skill of the physician lifts up his head, and in the presence of great men he is admired.

[4] The Lord created medicines from the earth, and a sensible man will not despise them. [5] Was not water made sweet with a tree in order that his power might be known? [6] And he gave skill to men that he might be glorified in his marvelous works. [7] By them he heals and takes away pain; [8] the pharmacist makes of them a compound. His works will never be finished; and from him health is upon the face of the earth.

[9] My son, when you are sick do not be negligent, but pray to the Lord, and he will heal you. [10] Give up your faults and direct your hands aright, and cleanse your heart from all sin. [11] Offer a sweet-smelling sacrifice, and a memorial portion of fine flour, and pour oil on your offering, as much as you can afford.

[12] And give the physician his place, for the Lord created him; let him not leave you, for there is need of him. [13] There is a time when success lies in the hands of physicians, [14] for they too will pray to the Lord that he should grant them success in diagnosis and in healing, for the sake of preserving life. [15] He who sins before his Maker, may he fall into the care of a physician.

 

[centurionguard]

I would expect it is possible to extract sperm cells surgically rather than, ahem, manually. And if those cells were only to be used for scientific examination, rather than for sexual experimentation (i.e. fertilizing an ovum), I do not think there would be an issue with that. (Also, were these necessarily human sperm?)

I would also recommend reading Sirach 38:1-15. This book (not found in Protestant editions of the Bible, which might explain why some Protestant denominations despise medicine and doctors) is full of wisdom, and chapter 38 begins with praise for the profession of physician:

[1] Honor the physician with the honor due him, according to your need of him, for the Lord created him; [2] for healing comes from the Most High, and he will receive a gift from the king. [3] The skill of the physician lifts up his head, and in the presence of great men he is admired.

[4] The Lord created medicines from the earth, and a sensible man will not despise them. [5] Was not water made sweet with a tree in order that his power might be known? [6] And he gave skill to men that he might be glorified in his marvelous works. [7] By them he heals and takes away pain; [8] the pharmacist makes of them a compound. His works will never be finished; and from him health is upon the face of the earth.

[9] My son, when you are sick do not be negligent, but pray to the Lord, and he will heal you. [10] Give up your faults and direct your hands aright, and cleanse your heart from all sin. [11] Offer a sweet-smelling sacrifice, and a memorial portion of fine flour, and pour oil on your offering, as much as you can afford.

[12] And give the physician his place, for the Lord created him; let him not leave you, for there is need of him. [13] There is a time when success lies in the hands of physicians, [14] for they too will pray to the Lord that he should grant them success in diagnosis and in healing, for the sake of preserving life. [15] He who sins before his Maker, may he fall into the care of a physician.

I would expect it is possible to extract sperm cells surgically rather than, ahem, manually. And if those cells were only to be used for scientific examination, rather than for sexual experimentation (i.e. fertilizing an ovum), I do not think there would be an issue with that. (Also, were these necessarily human sperm?)

Agreed However I’m not so sure you’ll see too many human male guinea pigs volunteering for an uncomfortable hypodermic extraction of sperm cells at the doctors office.
The other common medical extraction of sperm cells on men who won’t do it manually because of catholic laws is done under mild anesthesia via the use of mild electrical shock…virtually the same way they collect sperm from animals.

 

[aspirant]

I love the quote, aspirant, I’m printing this one out and putting it some place I can read everyday. I used to tell myself I was doing what I was doing because I wanted to help people, but this blows my former motivation completely out of the water.

And it’s sacred scripture! Sirach 38:1-15.

 

[JanetF]

You might want to consider a different career, since medicine would be in conflict with so many Catholic beliefs. If you do become a doctor, choose something like dentistry or podiatry where there won’t be anything to conflcit with your belief system.

Practicing medicine as a devout catholic occurs all the time. There are OB/GYNs who are catholic and will not perform abortions or write scripts for BC. There are urologists who refuse to do vasectomies. When you become a physician, you will be able to make choices about how you will practice medicine. You might even fill a niche in your geographical location if you make it known that you are a devout catholic who practices with close affiliation with church law. Doctors can and do say no to patients if the treatment a patient is requesting is unethical.

Good luck with school!!

 

[aspirant]

There are OB/GYNs who are catholic and will not perform abortions or write scripts for BC. [other examples]… You might even fill a niche in your geographical location if you make it known that you are a devout catholic who practices with close affiliation with church law.

Example: Tepyac Family Center in Virginia.

Visit One More Soul’s Doctor Directory here.

 

[Doc_Keele]

You might want to consider a different career, since medicine would be in conflict with so many Catholic beliefs. If you do become a doctor, choose something like dentistry or podiatry where there won’t be anything to conflcit with your belief system.

I can see where you’re coming. I believe that some Church doctrines (or at least the interpretation) lead people to practice bad medicine which of course is unethical.
Medicine and the Church are not in opposition, despite the way some Catholics disparage the medical profession.

 

[quasimodo]

Just be aware that there has been talk of removing conscience rights from those who practice medicine and from hospitals