On Surrogacy, Cosmetic Surgery and Suicide SURROGACY Surrogacy is an arrangement in which a woman carries and delivers a child of another

r couple or person A surrogate mother typically conceives after artificial insemination through IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) with the mans sperm When the child is born, the surrogate mother surrenders the baby to the couple which results to the termination of her parental rights The infertile couple usually pays the surrogate mothers expenses along with additional legal and agency fees if a contract is involved KINDS OF SURROGACY Commercial Surrogacy - If the pregnant woman received compensation for carrying and delivering the child (besides medical and other reasonable expenses) the arrangement Altruistic Surrogacy If the pregnant woman received compensation for carrying and delivering the child ADVANTAGES For a woman who cant conceive, surrogacy creates a chance for her and her partner to parent a child who is their genetic offspring DISADVANTAGES Some surrogates face difficult emotional and psychological issues over letting the baby go The couple and surrogate mother may have difficulty making mutual decisions about matters such as antenatal tests ( procedures performed during pregnancy to detect health problems in the growing fetus; establish characteristics such as fetal age, sex, or weight; or diagnose any material conditions that may affect fetal development.) and how to manage the pregnancy, labor and delivery The thought of one of the partners in the relationship is unable to have children may lead to the need for counseling and medical from a doctor CATHOLIC CHURCH STAND To put it simply the Catholic Church prohibits Surrogacy. it separates the act of conception from the act of sexual intercourse it introduces a third person into the act of procreation - this is viewed as infidelity It allows the surrogate mother to be reduced to the status of a prostitute, "selling" her biological "Fertility". This has the potential to become abusive by those with money over those who have little. COSMETIC SURGERY Cosmetic surgery techniques were first used by plastic surgeons in order to repair facial deformities caused by war

TYPES OF COSMETIC SURGERY Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Correct abnormal structures of the body Performed to improve functions Often performed when a normal appearance is desired Aesthetic Surgery Performed to improve appearance and self-esteem CATHOLIC CHURCH STAND Reconstructive surgery is considered ethical as long as the purpose is clearly to restore or improve normal function If the purpose of reconstructive surgery is for the destruction of any part of the human body, is unethical because it violates human dignity If the purpose is to solve a behavioral problem by mechanical mutilation, it is considered ethical. Cosmetic surgery is ethical if it restores normal appearance (fixing a cleft palate, deformation of facial features, etc.) If the purpose is only the enhancement of sexual attractiveness, it depends upon the expense, risks and rationale of procedures before it is justified as ethical The Christian attitude has always been that it is wrong to promote the idea that human worth is to be measures by appearances and not by human character SUICIDE Suicide is the act of a human being intentionally causing ones death Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder which includes depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism and drug abuse FACTORS THAT LEAD TO SUICIDE Mental Illness Substance Abuse Cigarette Smoking Gambling Problem Biological Social SUICIDAL BEHAVIORS Excessive sadness or moodiness Long-lasting sadness and mood swings can be symptoms of depression, a major risk factor for suicide. Sudden calmness Suddenly becoming calm after a period of depression or moodiness can be a sign that the person has made a decision to end his or her life. Withdrawal Choosing to be alone and avoiding friends or social activities also are possible symptoms of depression. This includes the loss of interest or pleasure in activities the person previously enjoyed.

Changes in personality and/or appearance A person who is considering suicide might exhibit a change in attitude or behavior, such as speaking or moving with unusual speed or slowness. In addition, the person might suddenly become less concerned about his or her personal appearance. Dangerous or self-harmful behavior Potentially dangerous behavior, such as reckless driving, engaging in unsafe sex, and increased use of drugs and/or alcohol might indicate that the person no longer values his or her life. Recent trauma or life crisis A major life crises might trigger a suicide attempt. Crises include the death of a loved one or pet, divorce or break-up of a relationship, diagnosis of a major illness, loss of a job, or serious financial problems. Making preparations Often, a person considering suicide will begin to put his or her personal business in order. This might include visiting friends and family members, giving away personal possessions, making a will, and cleaning up his or her room or home. Some people will write a note before committing suicide. Threatening suicide Not everyone who is considering suicide will say so, and not everyone who threatens suicide will follow through with it. However, every threat of suicide should be taken seriously.

CLASSIFICATIONS OF SUICIDE Self-harm Self-harm is not a suicide attempt; however, initially self-harm was erroneously classified as a suicide attempt. There is a non-causal correlation between self-harm and suicide; both are most commonly a joint effect of depression. This may also be classified as Deliberate self-harm and is most common in younger people but has been increasing in recent years in people of all ages. Euthanasia and assisted suicide Individuals who wish to end their own lives may enlist the assistance of another person to achieve death. The other person, usually a family member or physician, may help carry out the act if the individual lacks the physical capacity to do so even with the supplied means. Assisted suicide is a contentious moral and political issue in many countries, as seen in the scandal surrounding Dr. Jack Kevorkian, a medical practitioner who supported euthanasia, was found to have helped patients end their own lives, and was sentenced to prison time. Murdersuicide A murdersuicide is an act in which an individual kills one or more other persons immediately before or at the same time as him or herself. The motivation for the murder in murdersuicide can be purely criminal in nature or be perceived by the perpetrator as an act of care for loved ones in the context of severe depression. Suicide attack A suicide attack is when an attacker perpetrates an act of violence against others, typically to achieve a military or political goal, that results in his or her own death as well. Suicide bombings are often regarded as an act of terrorism. Historical examples

include the assassination of Czar Alexander II and the in-part successful kamikaze attacks by Japanese air pilots during the Second World War, as well as more recent attacks, such as the September 11th attacks. Mass suicide Some suicides are done under peer pressure or as a group. Mass suicides can take place with as few as two people, in a "suicide pact", or with a larger number of people. An example is the mass suicide that took place by members of the Peoples Temple, an American cult led by Jim Jones in Guyana in 1978. Suicide pact A suicide pact describes the suicides of two or more individuals in an agreedplan. The plan may be to die together, or separately and closely timed. Suicide pacts are generally distinct from mass suicide. The latter refers to incidents in which a larger number of people kill themselves together for the same ideological reason, often within a religious, political, military or paramilitary context. Suicide pacts, on the other hand, usually involve small groups of people (such as married or romantic partners, family members, or friends) whose motivations are intensely personal and individual.

CATHOLIC CHRUCH STAND The authoritative Catechism of the Catholic Church (paragraphs 2280-2283) makes the following points about suicide: Everyone is responsible for his life before God who has given it to him. It is God who remains the sovereign Master of life. We are obliged to accept life gratefully and preserve it for his honor and the salvation of our souls. We are stewards, not owners, of the life God has entrusted to us. It is not ours to dispose of. Suicide contradicts the natural inclination of the human being to preserve and perpetuate his life. It is gravely contrary to the just love of self. It likewise offends love of neighbor because it unjustly breaks the ties of solidarity with family, nation, and other human societies to which we continue to have obligations. Suicide is contrary to love for the living God. If suicide is committed with the intention of setting an example, especially to the young, it also takes on the gravity of scandal. Voluntary co-operation in suicide is contrary to the moral law. Grave psychological disturbances, anguish, or grave fear of hardship, suffering, or torture can diminish the responsibility of the one committing suicide. We should not despair of the eternal salvation of persons who have taken their own lives. By ways known to him alone, God can provide the opportunity for salutary repentance. The Church prays for persons who have taken their own lives.