Biomedical Technologies and Natural Family Planning

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Table of Contents

Introduction
What is Natural Family Planning (NFP)?
Some Ways in Which NFP is Healthier than Contraception
Bioethical Evaluation of NFP
Conclusion
References

Introduction

The bioethical analysis examines specific situations from the perspective of ethical theories, laws, principles, and bioethics rules. The tools of bioethical analysis can be conventionally placed at different theoretical levels (National Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2001). Ethical theories and bioethical laws occupy the highest level, and the middle level is bioethics principles. At the lowest level are the basic rules of bioethics. These tools of ethical analysis are interconnected and mutually reinforcing. Bioethical analysis in actual life interventions (medical interventions) examines complex moral situations without prejudice, parsing them in detail.

The current level of scientific development provides several supplementary methods for procreation. However, the question of compatibility with ethical and religious guidelines arises when using these methods. Despite the many contemporary possibilities for procreation, most of them do not conform to Catholic doctrine on marriage and human dignity (National Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2001). Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is a procedure performed in the laboratory before in vitro fertilization (IVF) to reduce the risk of genetic disease transmission. This method is a genetic intervention that is contrary to natural selection. It is performed in combination with IVF, it is ethically problematic because it denies the natural fertilization process. For these reasons, PGD is also considered unethical and should not be used by couples. Surrogacy is the birth of a child for a couple by another woman who is not the wife, using artificial insemination (AI) or in vitro fertilization. This method is unethical because it violates the marriage agreement, infringes on the mother-child relationship, and denigrates the dignity of women for the sake of commercialization.

A “snowflake baby” is a child born after in vitro fertilization and frozen after the embryo was donated or not used for IVF by another couple. This method is unethical because the embryos are already alive but cannot consent to freeze (Cioffi, 2021). Additionally, only a tiny percentage of the embryos will survive, as they are damaged by freezing and thawing. Artificial insemination (AI) involves sending sperm directly into a woman’s uterus for fertilization. The process is ethical if the couple is married, the sperm is ethically collected (e.g., with a special condom rather than masturbation), and there is no risk to the embryo.

What is Natural Family Planning (NFP)?

Natural Family Planning (NFP) is a strategy based on straightforward, inexpensive, and safe methods that allow couples to identify the days on which their sexual relations can lead to pregnancy. Thus, depending on whether they want to have a baby, they can intensify their sexual relations or abstain from sexual intercourse during this period.

3 Primary Ovulation Symptoms

Cervical Mucus (CM). Cervical mucus (also called cervical fluid) is a cervical secretion; tracking changes in CM is the easiest and most reliable way to predict the most fertile days. It is also important to know when to check it.
Basal Body Temperature (BBT). This method combines the BBT method and the cervical mucus method. An increase in your basal body temperature is a good indication that ovulation has occurred.
Cervical position (CP). This is another fertility sign that I use to confirm ovulation. The cervical position check is usually used in conjunction with the previous signs above. The cervical position can confirm what you learned with the mucus and temperature check.

7 Secondary Ovulation Symptoms

Cramping on one side when you ovulate. May last a few minutes when the egg is released or may last the whole day.
Bowel changes as woman’s hormones surge
A feeling of heightened sexual desire
Some positions during intercourse may not be as comfortable since your cervix changes position
All of a sudden being high energy or feeling highly productive.
Clear, soft skin
Happiness or all-around feeling great, increased confidence

Some Ways in Which NFP is Healthier than Contraception

NFP has no physical severe side effects. A woman who knows how to chart her cycles has a treasure trove of information that helps her and her doctor understand any problems she may have with fertility and all the health problems associated with hormonal imbalances, most of which can be treated with dietary changes and vitamin and mineral supplements (Tantalean, 2018). Couples who use NFP rarely divorce. (Assisted Procreation. 2007). Marriage is strengthened not just by the use of NFP but by what it takes to use NFP successfully, which are self-discipline; commitment; communication; mutual agreement about goals; generosity, and love for God’s gift of sexuality.

Bioethical Evaluation of NFP

Family planning also faces moral and ethical problems that fall within the sphere of bioethics. The use of reproductive technology in the 21st century is widespread and occurs against the backdrop of fundamental changes in their moral evaluation and legal status. One of the most acute problems is the destruction of born life (abortions, abortive contraceptives) (Assisted Procreation, 2007). From the very beginning to the present day, the Church has viewed abortion as a grave sin. This condemnation is apparent: born life, the tiny embryo is a human being (Hassoun, 2018). That is why abortion is equated with murder. This problem focuses on the fundamental questions of human existence, on the resolution of which many other bioethical problems depend – when human life begins. It follows that bioethics positively encounters natural family planning.

Conclusion

To summarize the material studied, the development of biomedical technologies invading modern human life from birth to death, and decisions about the termination of pregnancy, are of grave concern to society. A moral attitude toward human life is necessary to protect it from attempts to manipulate it arbitrarily. Human life, from the moment of its conception, depends on the help of the support of others. It is in the community of compassionate and co-creative people that life is conceived, developed, and carried out.

References

Assisted Procreation. (2007). In: Islamic Bioethics: Problems and Perspectives. International Library of Ethics, Law, and the New Medicine. Springer, Dordrecht.

Cioffi, A. (2021). BIO 602 AI ECTOPIC NFP 2 13 21 [Video]. YouTube. Web.

Hassoun, D. (2018). Natural family planning methods and barrier: CNGOF contraception guidelines. Gynecologie, Obstetrique, Fertilite & Senologie, 46(12), 873-882.

National Conference of Catholic Bishops. Committee on Doctrine. (2001). Ethical and religious directives for Catholic health care services. United States Conference of Catholic, Bishops.

Tantalean, M. (2018). John J Billings Memorial Lecture Bioethical Considerations of Natural Family Planning. Bulletin of WOOMB International Ltd, 45(2), 2-10.

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