When I was thinking about this I was thinking more of like incidental contact, not so much intentional / artificial. I suppose then I have updated my opinion and now think it is irresponsible to begin the process without a clearly defined end point at a minimum.

However, there is also obvious life-saving research performed in these scenarios, and the utilitarian aspect is tempting to examine.

One thing that came to mind was a single cell such as in an identical twin - if the other goes on, but the twin is used for research and destroyed, where does that leave you? I think I would have to say that was a unique human life that was ended.

I honestly don't know where this leaves me with regard to IVF in general, because as I understand it there are usually excess embryos, right?

I (obviously) don't know a ton about IVF, but I think most IVF providers produce dozens of embryos per couple which are eventually discarded.

Consideration of things like identical twins kills the notion that "human lives" are countable, conserved, or discrete at the early stages. Nobody ever answers my hypotheticals on that topic though, so I've stopped asking them.

A Rose and a Rosary for Nancy

This is a wonderful way to pray for a fellow Christian that is a leader in our country and can use some divine guidance.

PabloSerna said:

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A Rose and a Rosary for Nancy

This is a wonderful way to pray for a fellow Christian that is a leader in our country and can use some divine guidance.

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I agree with this approach, and sincerely pray that her heart is converted for the sake of her soul. I admire the Bishops charity. I do fear, since she has resisted any instruction from Bishop Cordileone now and in the past, that at some point he will need to consider a more punitive approach out of the same charity.

Pro Sandy said:

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Yukon Cornelius said:

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Are Catholics against the Death penalty?

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Yes.

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No, but the pope decided it should never be appropriate a couple years ago.