Category Archives: Bioethics

Is Neurotheology the Latest Trend in Bioethics? 8

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What is the latest in bioethics?

Fr Joseph Tham

One of the buzzwords of bioethics in the next few decades will likely be “neuro”.  When I was in medical school, we were told that little is known about how the brain works.  However, neuroscience has gained a lot of knowledge in these last 30 years because of the advances of imaging techniques coupled with powerful computer technology.

The tremendous progress on understanding how the human brain works can revolutionize our comprehension of ourselves and our society.  Hence, there are important ethical implications on how to apply this new knowledge. More…

Theology of the Body and Bioethics 4

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Fr Joseph Tham

In my first year of medical practice, I still clearly remember the case of a patient who came to me, truly distressed because he had committed an act of adultery with his secretary.  He wanted me to test him for AIDS, since he was unwilling to put his wife at risk, not knowing if this casual encounter would have infected him. More…

Oh Death, Where Is Thy Sting? 6

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On the Meaning of Suffering, Pain, and Death

Fr Joseph Tham

Fr Joseph Tham

A few years ago, I remember being at the scene of a traffic accident in the outskirts of Rome. The car apparently lost control and smashed into a tree.

The front of this small car was totally caved in with fumes and smoke coming out.  The police had not yet arrived, and so, dressed in clerical garb, I got out of the car to see if I could be of service. More…

The Last Generation? 8

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By Fr Joseph Tham, LC

The month of May has begun, the smell of spring is in the air, and it is a month that motherhood is celebrated all over the word.  For Catholics, it is also the month we celebrate the maternal closeness of Mary.  It is therefore a strange contrast with some recent comments that surfaced about the irrationality of having children. More…

Catholic Social Doctrine Reflects on Aging and Disability 4

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Fr. Joseph Tham, LC, MD, PhD

Aging and Disability was the topic of the 20th General Assembly of the Pontifical Academy for Life held on Feb 20-21, 2014 in Rome.

With the advance of medical technology, there is a longer life expectancy worldwide.  Along with increased lifespan, More…

Dilemmas faced by medical personnel during the SARS crisis 2

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Fr Joseph Tham

Fr Joseph Tham

Fr Joseph Tham is a Catholic Priest, has doctoral degrees in medicine and bioethics, and is a contributor to Biltrix. In this article he presents a four-fold model for assessing the medical professional’s role in society, based on some reflections ten years after the 2003 SARS epidemic.

In early September, I participated in a conference on “SARS epidemic: ethical reflection and prospects” in Hong Kong. The 2003 global epidemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome was particularly devastating in Hong Kong.  About 1800 people were infected, 300 of whom died, including 8 medical personnel.  The Bioethics Resource Centre of the Catholic Diocesan Committee for Bioethics of Hong Kong organized the education event with the sponsorship of different hospitals, nursing and doctor guilds. More…

Should We Live Forever 3

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By Fr Joseph Tham

Recently, I read a book by Gilbert Meilaender, called Should We Live Forever? The Ethical Ambiguities of Aging.  The question of aging and immortality does not seem, at first glance, to be a bioethical topic.  This little book by the Methodist theologian offers profound insights to the oft-ignored questions underlying many bioethical debates today—from euthanasia and the right to die, to regenerative medicine which attempts to extend life using stem cells and cloning, to enhancement and transhumanism. More…

The Passing of a Father of Bioethics 7

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By Fr Joseph Tham

Dr Edmund Pellegrino

Dr Edmund Pellegrino

On June 13, 2013, Dr. Edmund Pellegrino, MD, MACP, passed away peacefully at the age of 92.  He rightfully enjoys the title as a Father of Bioethics, due to the importance of his thoughts and the numerous publications and conferences he has given. More…

Adventures of the Dark Side of Medicine, a Book Review 6

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By Fr Joseph Tham, LC , PhD, MD

Recently, I wrote this book review on an interesting work, White Coat, Black Hat: Adventures of the Dark Side of Medicine, by Carl Elliot.

In this work, the author delves into the well known problems that medicine faces as it divides its attention between patient care and profit making. More…