EXPLORE
Below, you’ll find a list of relevant topics to explore. Each link leads to a web page or article, and you can search topics and tags by using the search icon at the top of the page.
If you are worried that you might become unable to make medical decisions for yourself - for example, if you are rendered unconscious, or have an accident, or suffer from dementia - you can now make an Advance Health Directive (AHD) and/or appoint someone to hold Enduring Power of Guardianship (EPG). Prior to all of this you should consider formulating an Advance Care Plan (ACP). This page contains information on AHDs and EPGs operative in the State of Western Australia, and provides a direct link to download the WA statutory forms. It also contains a sample ACP which you may find helpful, and offers links to related sites including documents from the Australian Catholic Bishops and Catholic Health Australia. Click here to view.
Bioethics Documents (Catholic Church)
This page contains links to Catholic Church documents on various questions of bioethics, located principally on the Vatican website. New documents will be added from time to time. Click here to view.
Euthanasia (Voluntary Assisted Dying)
This page contains a number of resources relating to euthanasia. Click on the link or pdf file of your choice, and go directly to each resource.
In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF - ART)
As this page develops, we will post a summary of the latest advances in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) and associated technologies, as well as balanced critiques and alternative views.
Surrogacy
Surrogacy refers to an arrangement whereby one woman (the surrogate or 'birth mother') carries a pregnancy and gives birth to a child who is then given to another woman or couple (the 'arranged parents') to raise as their own. The pregnancy may be the result of IVF, and may involve donated gametes (eggs + sperm). Surrogacy raises a number of complex legal and ethical problems. To read more, click on the links and documents below.