Bioethics on Air

Pro-life OB/GYN Chris Stroud joins Bioethics on Air to critique the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ March 2022 ‘guidance’ on how to speak about abortion. This interview focuses on ACOG’s claim that we can no longer use the terms baby, unborn child, or fetal heartbeat.

Resources:

1. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) – Guide to Language and Abortion at https://www.acog.org/contact/media-center/abortion-language-guide

2. Fertility and Midwifery Care Center – https://fertilityandmidwifery.com. For telehealth, email [email protected]

3. "Doctor, Doctor" podcast, episode 256 – “Child Birth: Safe, Healthy, and Empowered Options.” Go to https://doctordoctor.org/ and click on “Discover Past Episodes”

Steven White, MD and NCBC President Joseph Meaney join Joe Zalot introduce the newly formed Catholic Health Care Leadership Alliance (CHCLA). Steve and Joseph explain why the alliance was formed, discuss its founding members, and set an ambitious agenda to transform Catholic health care.

CHCLA website – CatholicHealthAlliance.org

Family Medicine physician Lisa Gilbert discusses the ethical challenges surrounding referrals for illicit medical interventions, the distinction between referral and transfer of care, and her work advocating for the conscience rights of medical professionals.

Resources:

1. Ukrainian Catholic Crisis Media Center – https://uccmc.org

2. Advocacy for Life course - https://www.studentsforlifehq.com/advocacyforlife

3. Cynthia Jones-Nosacek, MD, “Referral vs Transfer of Care: Ethical Options When Values Differ,” Linacre Quarterly, 2021

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In part two of his interview, Dr. John Di Camillo addresses how the Catholic understanding of the common good can help inform responses to ongoing ethical concerns regarding COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, as well as mandates.

Dr. John Di Camillo discusses his presentation on COVID-19 vaccines and mandates from the 2022 NCBC Bishops Workshop. In part one of this interview, John focuses on the latest available information concerning COVID vaccines and how this information should inform judgments of conscience.

Ashley Womack, MD discusses how, through her Catholic faith, she navigated the ethical challenges of both medical school and OB/GYN residency, including her refusal to complete a “family planning” rotation at Planned Parenthood.

Mary McClusky, Assistant Director for Project Rachel Ministry Development with the USCCB Committee on Pro Life Activities, joins Joe Zalot to discuss this specifically Catholic model of abortion healing ministry. Mary focuses on the challenges women face following an abortion, the services that Project Rachel Ministry offers, and how the sacraments (especially reconciliation) play a key role in the abortion healing process.

Project Rachel Ministries website: https://hopeafterabortion.com/

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk, MD

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-body-keeps-the-score-bessel-van-der-kolk-md/1117229987

Dr. Vince Rue – Alliance for Post Abortion Research and Training: https://www.standapart.org/

Noah Brandt, Director of Government Affairs at Live Action, discusses the Dobbs case, the Texas Heartbeat Bill, and Ohio’s 2363 Bill. He also explains the importance of properly interpreting the Fourteenth Amendment as well as Live Action’s efforts to counter corporate censorship.

Access all of Live Action’s resources at liveaction.org.

In part two of our interview, attorney Jonathan Berry offers a legal perspective of religious and conscience objection, and he discusses what is reasonable (and not reasonable) in terms of requesting such an exemption. He also suggests what individuals can do when facing termination for refusing a COVID-19 vaccine.

Attorney Jonathan Berry explains the legal and constitutional challenges to the Biden administration’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate, and he clarifies the status of these challenges in the federal courts to date.

UPDATE: Just hours after this interview was recorded, a three-judge panel of the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated the Biden vaccine mandate. Boyden Gray filed an appeal with the US Supreme Court within 45 minutes of that ruling.