United States Catholic Catechism for Adults

Chapter 29. Fifth Commandment: Promote the Culture of Life • 393

the end does not justify the means. Embryonic stem-cell research is an immoral means to a good end. It is morally unacceptable. Similarly, cloning, whether for reproductive or therapeutic uses, is immoral on many levels, not the least of which is because it too involves the destruction of human embryos. No objective, even though noble in itself, such as a foreseeable advantage to science, to other human beings, or to society, can in any way justify experimentation on living human embryos or fetuses, whether viable or not, either inside or outside the mother’s body. (Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Instruction on Respect for Human Life in its Origin and on the Dignity of Procreation [Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 1987]) On the other hand, stem cells can be obtained from adults with their informed consent. The federal government has spent millions of dol lars on this research. Stem cells from placenta, bone marrow, and the umbilical cord are being used to treat leukemia. This is a promising field of research and does not involve the moral implications of embryonic stem-cell research. Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide Intentional euthanasia, sometimes called mercy killing, is murder. Regardless of the motives or means, euthanasia consists of putting to death those who are sick, are disabled, or are dying. It is morally unac ceptable. The emergence of physician-assisted suicide, popularized by the right-to-die movement, seeks to legalize what is an immoral act. Its advocates plan to achieve this on a state-by-state basis. Suicide is gravely sinful whether committed alone or aided by a doc tor. Serious psychological disturbances, anxiety, fear of suffering, or tor ture can diminish the responsibility of the one committing suicide. The question is often asked whether persons who have committed suicide receive eternal salvation. Although suicide is always objectively sinful, one “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