The manipulation of genes that is not geared toward healing the life of an unborn child, but rather geared toward determining a child s sex or other cosmetic qualities is gravely immoral. Producing or destroying human embryos as disposable biological material is gravely immoral. Euthanasia is the direct killing of a dying, sick, or handicapped person. Respect for human life, however, does not necessitate that medical procedures that are burdensome, dangerous, extraordinary, or disproportionate to the expected outcome be performed on a critically-ill patient. The use of painkillers to alleviate the suffering of the dying, even if the painkillers will inevitably hasten death, is also not contrary to the dignity of persons, so long as they are administered in the view of trying to keep the person comfortable rather than to trying to end his or her life.
Suicide is a grave offense against the fifth commandment.
Still, factors like psychological disturbances, anguish, or inordinate fear of hardship, suffering, or torture can diminish one s responsibility for committing suicide. Please support this worthy cause in this month where we celebrate life. We are asking you to help us educate them along with their older Friar-Brothers in St. Louis. God has blessed us with these vocations. In turn, you are blessed with a full staff of Dominicans at your parish.