Bioethical Issues, Including Care for the Aging and Support for FamiliesCourse Level: Advanced

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Course Summary

In today’s rapidly changing technological world, evolving science and Catholic theology often seem to conflict. For many, it can be difficult to discern how far we should go with medical science. This discernment needs to be made across the lifespan, from family planning through the end of life. From fertility technology to abortion to stem cell research to assisted suicide, the impact on advancing technologies on the dignity of life continues to increase. This course addresses bioethics across the lifespan, including terminal illness, aging, and end-of-life decisions. Participants will also discuss how science and religion can work together to support and minister to patients and families who face difficult decisions about their lives.

Successful completion of this course earns 2.5 CEU's. Click here for more information about CEU's.

General Course Objectives

  • Participants will understand the variety of bioethical issues across the lifespan as they relate to the Natural Law and dignity of life.
  • Participants will be able to discuss ways to protect the value of human life in making decisions about family planning, fertility, prenatal diagnoses, and maternal health.
  • Participants will relate Catholic theology to the care of those with terminal illnesses, especially regarding brain death and persistent vegetative states.
  • Participants will understand and discuss the variety of end-of-life decisions as they relate to terminal illness, the prolonging or shortening of natural life, and the aging population.
  • Participants will discuss ways that science and religion can work together to support and minister to families facing serious illness, disability, or death.

Course Materials

  • No books required. All readings are online.

Course Structure and Highlights

  • Week 1: Introduction to Bioethics: Avoiding Evil Ends to Good Means
    • Participants will consider moral absolutes and relativism as it relates to bioethics.
    • Participants will discuss the concerns with using “evil means” to accomplish good.
    • Participants will understand and be able to name several ways the Catholic Church has addressed recent bioethical questions.
  • Week 2: The Dignity of Life in Family Planning & Pregnancy
    • Participants will be able to describe ethical concerns with a variety of fertility technologies, including IVF, embryo storage, gene editing, and other infertility treatments.
    • Participants will be able to use Catholic theology to respond to the idea that exceptions to abortion bans should be made in certain cases, such as rape or incest.
    • Participants will be able to discuss ways to minister to families who receive an adverse prenatal diagnosis.
  • Week 3: Bioethics Across the Lifespan: Terminal Illness, Prolonging Life, & Assisted Suicide
    • Participants will be able to describe passive and active euthanasia and the ethical concerns surrounding each.
    • Participants will be able to understand and assess the various options available for end-of-life care in terms of morality and dignity.
    • Participants will be able to state the factors that indicate physical death according to Catholic teaching.
  • Week 4: Aging, End-of-Life Planning, and Dying with Dignity
    • Participants will have an understanding of the impact of end-of-life decisions on a person’s ability to die with dignity.
    • Participants will discuss a variety of ways to preserve the dignity of aging adults or those with terminal illness at the end of their lives.
    • Participants will discuss ways to minister to and support families who are experiencing the final days of a loved one.
  • Week 5: Working Together for Families: Science, Support, & Ministry
    • Participants will be able to discuss various ways to use both science and religion to protect the dignity of all lives.
    • Participants will reflect on what it means to have power in suffering.
    • Participants will be able to identify and discuss God’s gifts, grace, and presence through suffering, aging, illness, disability, and death.