They are calling for more discussion about how organ donation could be boosted, from both the living and the dead.

However, the topic is a sensitive one, involving complex ethical issues. Read more

The committee is the first of a two stage approach to talking with stakeholders about the issues. In this first stage they have presented arguments about six key issues where there is potential for a significant clash between New Zealand requirements and those elsewhere:

• altruistic donation v. commercial supply
• right to access identifying information about donors v. no right to access identifying information about donors
• family size requirements
• use of sex selection
• scope of informed consent
• use of gametes and embryos overseas in procedures or research prohibited or precluded in New Zealand.

Among the submissions are the minutes of a meeting held between Dr John Angus, the Chair of Acart, and John Kleinsman, the director of the Nathaniel Centre, the New Zealand Catholic Bioethics Centre.

ACART has been established under the Human Assisted Reproductive Technology (HART) Act 2004. As an independent advisory committee, ACART sits between the government and the people of New Zealand and formulates advice and guidelines for the regulation of assisted human reproduction. ACART is required to undertake extensive public consultation before issuing advice or finalising guidelines.

Source

• Acart
• Image: Blog.babycentre.com

Catholic charities are a major player in the fight against HIV/AIDS providing about 25 percent of AIDS care in Africa where 22 million infected people live. They run hospitals and hospices, orphanages and clinics and have played a critical role in helping to de-stigmatize those with the virus and stress the need for changes in sexual behavior to stop its spread.

One topic being discussed is the role of condoms in the prevention of the disease. Dr. Michel Sidibe, executive director of UNAIDS, speaking at the conference, referring to Pope Benedict XVI statement that a male prostitute who intends to use a condom might be taking a first step toward greater responsibility said, "This has helped me to understand his position better and has opened up a new space for dialogue."

Source:

Vatican Radio
The Bellingham Herald

"This young lad had an incurable condition. Providing a feeding tube to sustain life by giving food and water when the body is able to maintain its life processes is not seen as exceptional practice - though if that procedure becomes painful or distressful, the situation may have to be reviewed." said Fr Vaney. "If death is inevitable, there is no moral obligation to fight till the last possible second."

"God gives life but there are times when it is clear that the gift is being recalled. In this case I believe that the judge has acted wisely and mercifully."

Last October, the boy had a feeding tube inserted because he could no longer swallow food or medication. On May 4, the tube, which provided almost all of his nutrition and hydration, became dislodged. Surgery was required to reinsert it and doctors said that without it he would die within days or weeks.

At the hearing on May 8, a judge ruled that a decision not to reinsert the tube would not amount to culpable homicide, finding it was in accordance with "good medical practice". The tube was not re-insertered and the boy died the next day.

Neil Vaney is a theologian and principal of Catholic Discipleship College; Auckland