The Groningen Protocol

Euthanasia in the Never-say-Netherlands-- this is a remarkable read.

So the Dutch have lost their "moral compass" because they are willing to do honestly what others are already doing secretly? Because they are willing to put their necks on the line to end the suffering of those who cannot speak for themselves? I'm sorry, but no-- the Dutch are here exhibiting a moral courage that goes near unparalleled in the free world. Of course, extreme caution needs to be taken when/if giving one's government language for killing its own citizens, even out of mercy, and even if it's the Dutch parliament we're talking about. But the Roman Catholic Church can't have libertarian paranoia as its excuse, so what gives? The Church responds:

Abortion, euthanasia, embryonic stem-cell research and human cloning all result in the deliberate ending of human life. They go against the most basic human right: the right to life.

Some argue that embryos are not human beings, but consider this: either the embryo is a human being or it is not. If it is not, then it should not become a child and then an adult. To use a simple example: a human embryo will definitely not grow into a cabbage or a kitten. From the moment of conception, a human embryo has all the elements necessary for its full development. Saying that it only becomes a human life after a certain amount of cell multiplication is arbitrary, and contradicts the facts. The embryo becomes a human life because it already is a human life.

As discussed above, this is not just a faith issue. Even though as Christians we know that these things directly violate the Fifth Commandment, “You shall not kill,” every human being is capable of understanding that killing innocent human beings is gravely wrong, whether he believes in God or not. Only selfishness and superficialness can make someone deny this.

That is why the Church is very clear when it speaks on these issues. Abortion is a “moral evil” and this teaching is unchangeable (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2271). Euthanasia is “morally unacceptable” and “constitutes a murder” (CCC, 2277).

Likewise, human cloning and embryonic stem cell research violate human dignity because they involve creating, manipulating, and oftentimes the killing of human embryos solely for research. “It is immoral to produce human embryos intended for exploitation as disposable biological material” (CCC, 2275). The reason is that a newly formed embryo carries all the genetic material the person will ever need during his or her entire life. A new human being is there—just not in the form that is obvious to the naked eye. Therefore, any attempt to manipulate the embryo or genetic material is the manipulation or destruction of a human being.