Church teaching is often difficult to digest for those unfamiliar with its nuances. In particular, teachings related to IVF are seen as insensitive to those who were conceived and born as a result of the process. In this article, Rev. Kizewski explains the difference between primary and secondary causality, as well as defective choices and their results. In short, Catholic teaching on the illicit nature of the processes involved in IVF should in no way be taken as a condemnation of individuals conceived during those processes.

In this article, John Brehany continues his discussion of both the history of the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services and what future revisions might be needed. This article focuses on Part 4, the largest section of the ERDs. Part 4 addresses ethical issues related to respect for human life, fertility, assisted reproduction, surrogacy, prenatal testing, and genetic counseling.