Helen Watt responds to claims that the fetus is not (or not always) human, that abortion is about "choice" and "controlling one's body", and that women and children benefit from the practice of abortion.

Aged Care

Human Dignity and Respect for the Elderly [1998]

Luke Gormally observes that respect for the elderly - especially the frail aged - is for various reasons in massive decline. He advocates a rediscovery of the positive role that typical age-related conditions such as dependence and frailty play in the spiritual life of a person.

AIDS

Can Condoms Kill? [2005]

Hugh Henry reviews a BBC Panorama programme on the Church and AIDS

Brain Death

The UK definition of death [1999]

Hidden forms of homicide are real possibilities because of unclear and non-objective definitions of death, warns David Jones.

Cloning

Life or lifestyle? The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [2008]

Helen Watt offers a brief analysis of the issues surrounding this controversial bill.

Review of the HFE Act [2005]

A submission by the Joint Bioethics Committee of the Catholic Bishops of England & Wales, Scotland, and Ireland to the Department of Health's consultation on the proposed review of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act (1990)

Cloning in Korea [2005]

Helen Watt considers the question of human cloning in the light of recent scientific developments

Human Cloning [2003]

Anthony McCarthy: A concise argument against cloning.

Thinking Twice: Cloning and In Vitro Fertilization [2002]

Helen Watt examines the similarities and differences between IVF and cloning.

Cloning and Stem Cell Research [2001]

A submission by the Linacre Centre to the House of Lords Select Committee on Stem Cell Research.

Key issues discussed: stem cells - embryonic stem cells - adult stem cells - moral status of the embryo - twinning - purposes of cloning (birth, research, exploitation of tissue) - public policy

Contraception

'Morning-After Pill', Rape Victims and Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services [2004]

Anthony McCarthy explores the moral issues raised by treatment to prevent pregnancy following rape.

Key issues discussed: medical treatment of victims of rape - effects of 'emergency contraception' - alternative approaches.

Contraception and Catholic Sexual Ethics [1997]

Luke Gormally places the prohibition on contraception within the context of the Christian concepts of chastity, authentic marital love and the awareness of sin in our lives.

Co-operation in Evil

Why not dirty your hands? [2005]

Luke Gormally considers the thesis that it is sometimes right intentionally to cooperate in wrongdoing.

Co-operation Problems in Biomedical Research [1999]

What are the boundaries between permissible and impermissible cooperation in wrongful procedures? Helen Watt explains how "formal" cooperation is always morally wrong, and suggests principles for assessing when "material" cooperation is acceptable.

Embryo in Christian Tradition

On the place of the human embryo within Christian tradition & the theological principles for evaluating its moral status [2001]

A brief on behalf of a group of Christian theologians submitted to the House of Lords' Select Committee on Stem Cell Research.

Key issues discussed: Is the embryo a human being? - The Christian tradition - the contribution of modern science - theological considerations.

The human embryo in Christian tradition: an historical note [2001]

David Jones counters a recent suggestion that within the Christian tradition, a developmental view of the embryo has left open the permissibility of early embryo experimentation. On the contrary, he argues, the inviolability of unborn life at every stage has been a constant feature of the Christian tradition.

Embryo Screening

Selecting Children [2007]

Helen Watt considers the ethical issues surrounding prenatal tests and abortion, and questions widely held views about prenatal selection.

Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales and Linacre Centre for Healthcare Ethics Joint Response to the Human Tissue and Embryos (Draft) Bill [2007]

Review of the HFE Act [2005]

Tissue Typing [2003]

Helen Watt: The ethical pitfalls of selecting (via IVF elimination) a child with physical characteristics that can be used to save another life.

Pre-implantation Diagnosis [1997]

Screening and discarding undesired embryos prior to implantation (as part of the IVF procedure) assumes that the embryo is not human, or not deserving of the same respect as other humans. Helen Watt defends the humanity and dignity of the embryo, and explains how screening is inimical to healthy parent-child relationships.

Euthanasia

Briefing on the Mental Capacity Bill [2004]

Joint briefing document prepared by: The Linacre Centre, the Centre for Bioethics and Public Policy, CARE, the Christian Peoples Alliance, the Guild of Catholic Doctors and the Medical Ethics Alliance.

Submission to the House of Lords Select Committee on the Assisted Dying for the Terminally Ill Bill [2004]

The Linacre Centre's response to a Bill permitting euthanasia.

Key issues discussed: euthanasia - respect for life - suicide - autonomy - welfare - the Netherlands - palliative care

Submission on the Draft Mental Incapacity Bill [2003]

A joint submission by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales and the Linacre Centre for Healthcare Ethics

Key issues discussed: Suicide and homicide by omission - 'best interests' - dangers in proxy decision making provisions of the draft Bill - dangers of legally enforceable advance directives in the Bill.

Euthanasia: Unpacking the Debate [2002]

Helen Watt analyses certain concepts and historical facts relevant to the euthanasia debate.

Key issues discussed: euthanasia legalisation - the Netherlands - the 'slippery slope' - value of human life - respect for human life.

Response to Making Decisions [2002]

A response to draft leaflets published by the Lord Chancellor's Department on decision-making by and on behalf of mentally disabled persons.

Key issues discussed: Refusal of treatment with suicidal motives - withholding treatment or care - best interests of incompetent patients - advance directives - contraception, sterilization and abortion in relation to mentally incapacitated persons - exaggerated notions of autonomy.

Notes on The Winterton Bill [2000]

Luke Gormally comments on a Bill which aims to prohibit " the withdrawal or withholding of medical treatment, or the withdrawal or withholding of sustenance, with the intention of causing the death of a patient".

Withdrawing & Withholding Treatment [1998]

The Linacre Centre's response to: "Withdrawing and Withholding Treatment: A consultation paper from the BMA's Medical Ethics Committee"

Key issues discussed: justice - intention - double effect - intentional killing - how withdrawing and withholding treatment may involve intentional killing - the elements of "ordinary care" - the purpose of medicine - the proper role of doctors.

Human Dignity, Autonomy and Mentally Incapacitated Persons [1998]

A Response to Who Decides? submitted by the Linacre Centre for Health Care Ethics at the request of the Roman Catholic Bishops of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland [1998]

Key issues discussed: protection of vulnerable patients - withdrawal of treatment - euthanasia - non-therapeutic research - organ donation - advance refusal of treatment - justice.

Legislating for Advance Refusals of Treatment: What is at issue? [1998]

Luke Gormally shows that making advance refusals legally binding will undermine the doctor-patient relationship and promote the cause of euthanasia.

Key issues discussed: advance refusals - their nature - their current legal status - reasonable and unreasonable refusals.

Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide: Seven Reasons Why They Should Not Be Legalized [1997]

Luke Gormally

Key issues discussed: The law's fundamental duty: protect the innocent - link between voluntary and non-voluntary euthanasia - duties of doctors - palliative care - recommendations of recent committees

The BMA Report on Euthanasia and the Case Against Legalization [1994]

A review of the Report, by Luke Gormally.

Key issues discussed: Euthanasia - voluntary active euthanasia - value of human life - what counts as an 'inestimably' valuable life? - doctors' duties to patients - intentional killing.

Submission to the Select Committee of the House of Lords on Medical Ethics [1993]

Key issues discussed: Euthanasia - the sanctity of life - autonomy - doctors' duties - withdrawal and refusal of treatment - advance directives - proxy decision-making - the role of the courts - 'responsible medical opinion' - legislative proposals - Bland - the hospice movement - advances in palliative care - the Dutch experience.

Fertility Treatments

Life or lifestyle? The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [2008]

Helen Watt offers a brief analysis of the issues surrounding this controversial bill.

Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales and Linacre Centre for Healthcare Ethics Joint Response to the Human Tissue and Embryos (Draft) Bill [2007]

The Irish Frozen Embryos Case [2006]

Patrick Carr examines the judgement of the Irish High Court in M.R. v. T.R. and Others, which considers the status of the pre-implantation embryo in Irish Constitutional Law.

Review of the HFE Act [2005]

Human Reproductive Technologies and the Law [2004]

A Joint Submission to the Science and Technology Committee inquiry by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales and the Linacre Centre for Healthcare Ethics.

Key issues discussed: assisted reproduction - rights of the human embryo - provision of human gametic material.

Thinking Twice: Cloning and In Vitro Fertilization [2002]

Helen Watt examines the similarities and differences between IVF and cloning.

The Diane Blood Case [1997]

Helen Watt: the ethics of using a deceased husband's sperm to produce a child.

In Vitro Fertilization

Helen Watt explores the moral problems raised by in vitro fertilization.

Genetics

Life or lifestyle? The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [2008]

Helen Watt offers a brief analysis of the issues surrounding this controversial bill.

Response to White Paper: Our Inheritance Our Future [2003]

Helen Watt & Anthony McCarthy

Key issues discussed: Pre-natal selection, genetic counselling, genetic screening at birth, non-consensual testing.

Human Organ and Tissue Donation

Response to Human Bodies, Human Choices [2002]

A response by the Linacre Centre to a Government consultation.

Key issues discussed: Definitions of death - brain death - consent to organ and tissue donation - rights to bodies after death.

The UK definition of death [1999]

Hidden forms of homicide are real possibilities because of unclear and non-objective definitions of death, warns David Jones.

Hybrids/Chimeras

Life or lifestyle? The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [2008]

Helen Watt offers a brief analysis of the issues surrounding this controversial bill.

Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales and Linacre Centre for Healthcare Ethics Joint Response to the Human Tissue and Embryos (Draft) Bill [2007]

L inacre Centre Submission to the Science and Technology Committee Inquiry into Government Proposals for the Regulation of Hybrids and Chimeras [2007]

Infants

Bad News for Babies [2006]

Anthony McCarthy identifies some dangers in Critical care decisions in fetal and neonatal medicine: ethical issues, a Report produced by the Nuffield Council on Bioethics.

IVF

Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales and Linacre Centre for Healthcare Ethics Joint Response to the Human Tissue and Embryos (Draft) Bill [2007]

The Irish Frozen Embryos Case [2006]

Patrick Carr examines the judgement of the Irish High Court in M.R. v. T.R. and Others, which considers the status of the pre-implantation embryo in Irish Constitutional Law.

Review of the HFE Act [2005]

Human Reproductive Technologies and the Law [2004]

A Joint Submission to the Science and Technology Committee inquiry by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales and the Linacre Centre for Healthcare Ethics.

Key issues discussed: assisted reproduction - rights of the human embryo - provision of human gametic material.

In Vitro Fertilization

Helen Watt explores the moral problems raised by in vitro fertilization.

Thinking Twice: Cloning and In Vitro Fertilization [2002]

Helen Watt examines the similarities and differences between IVF and cloning.

Obstetrics & Gynaecology in a multi-cultural society

Obstetrics & Gynaecology in a multi-cultural society: A Catholic View

Is there a practice of Obstetrics and Gynaecology which accommodates committed Catholics? Nearly all the evidence suggests the answer is `No', says Luke Gormally.

Prolonging Life

Briefing on the Mental Capacity Bill [2004]

Submission on the Draft Mental Incapacity Bill [2003]

A joint submission by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales
and the Linacre Centre for Healthcare Ethics

Response to Making Decisions [2002]

A response to draft leaflets published by the Lord Chancellor's Department on decision-making by and on behalf of mentally disabled persons.

Ordinary and Extraordinary Means of Prolonging Life [2000]

Extracts from Life and Death in Healthcare Ethics: A Short Introduction by Helen Watt

Notes on The Winterton Bill [2000]

Luke Gormally comments on a Bill which aims to prohibit "the withdrawal or withholding of medical treatment, or the withdrawal or withholding of sustenance, with the intention of causing the death of a patient".

Human Dignity, Autonomy and Mentally Incapacitated Persons [1998]

A Response to Who Decides? submitted by the Linacre Centre for Health Care Ethics at the request of the Roman Catholic Bishops of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland [1998]

Key issues discussed: protection of vulnerable patients - withdrawal of treatment - euthanasia - non-therapeutic research - organ donation - advance refusal of treatment - justice.

Withdrawing & Withholding Treatment [1998]

The Linacre Centre's Response to: "Withdrawing and Withholding Treatment: A consultation paper from the BMA's Medical Ethics Committee"

Legislating for Advance Refusals of Treatment: What is at issue? [1998]

Luke Gormally shows that making advance refusals legally binding will undermine the doctor-patient relationship and promote the cause of euthanasia.

Key issues discussed: advance refusals - their nature - their current legal status - reasonable and unreasonable refusals.

Stem Cell Research

Life or lifestyle? The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [2008]

Helen Watt offers a brief analysis of the issues surrounding this controversial bill.

Review of the HFE Act [2005]

Cloning in Korea [2005]

Helen Watt considers the question of human cloning in the light of recent scientific developments

Cloning & Stem Cell Research [2001]

A Linacre Centre submission to the House of Lords Select Committee on Stem Cell Research [2000]

The Linacre Centre for Healthcare Ethics

38 Circus Road

London NW8 9SE

England

Tel. + 44 (0)20 7266 7410

Fax + 44 (0)20 7266 5424

Registered Charity No. 274327