Chapter 3

People were created to be loved. Things were created to be used. The reason the world is in chaos is because things are being loved and people are being used. (Unknown)

In 1985, the Tebow family, with four children, was living in the Philippines as missionaries. Pam Tebow contracted amoebic dysentery, likely from contaminated drinking water. She fell into a coma and received strong drugs to combat the infection. It turned out she was pregnant with her fifth child. Those drugs caused the placenta to detach from the uterine wall, depriving the fetus of oxygen. When it was realized that she was pregnant, doctors stopped the drugs but said that the high doses of medicine had already damaged the fetus. The doctors believed there was danger to Pam and that the baby would not survive, or if he did, would have very serious problems. His parents went to the best doctor in their area of the Philippines who told her: “An abortion is the only way to save your life.” Pam refused to have an abortion and asked for God’s help. She was in bed rest at a Manila hospital for the final two months of the pregnancy. Bob and Pam prayed for a healthy baby, but left that up to God. After Timmy was born, the doctor who delivered him said only a small part of the placenta was attached, but it was “just enough to keep your baby nourished all these months.” In 2007 Tim Tebow won the Heisman Trophy while playing football for the University of Florida.

… We agree with the District Court … that the medical judgment may be exercised in the light of all factors – physical, emotional, psychological, familial, and the woman's age – relevant to the well-being of the patient. All these factors may relate to health. … We agree with the District Court … that the medical judgment may be exercised in the light of all factors – physical, emotional, psychological, familial, and the woman's age – relevant to the well-being of the patient. All these factors may relate to health.

A good intention (for example, that of helping one's neighbor) does not make behavior that is intrinsically disordered, such as lying and calumny, good or just. The end does not justify the means. Thus the condemnation of an innocent person cannot be justified as a legitimate means of saving the nation. On the other hand, an added bad intention (such as vainglory) makes an act evil that, in and of itself, can be good (such as almsgiving). CCC, 1753 Example 3 Someone argues that aiding a terminally sick person’s request for death is humane; in effect, saying that helping someone to kill himself is justified by the desire to eliminate the suffering. Example 1 Someone argues that a pregnant woman feels she’s not ready to care for a child so she procures an abortion; in effect, saying that taking the life of her unborn child is justified by the benefit of avoiding motherhood. Example 2 Someone argues that society has a right to execute a murder to avenge a killing; in effect, saying that the death of the criminal is justified by society’s desire for revenge.

Logo from the Second International Congress of Eugenics, 1921, depicting the eugenics as a tree which unites a variety of different fields.

Goals of Hospice Care Manage pain and any other symptoms that cause discomfort and distress Manage pain and any other symptoms that cause discomfort and distress Create a comfortable environment for the patient Create a comfortable environment for the patient Allow the patient to be close to family and loved ones during the dying process Allow the patient to be close to family and loved ones during the dying process Give relief to the patient’s caregivers Give relief to the patient’s caregivers Offer counseling for the patient and those close to the patient Offer counseling for the patient and those close to the patient