Contraception and Assisted Reproductive Technologies

Contraception and Assisted Reproductive Technologies

Both of the readings make the case that their arguments represent the best “Catholic” position on the use of contraception. Which argument is more compelling on this point?
What are the strongest arguments against using contraception, and what is your evaluation of those arguments? The arguments need not explicitly refer to the Catholic tradition. For instance, you might look at this Institute that does research on Fertility Awareness Methods

Studies conducted by IRH in numerous countries, and corroborated by Demographic and Health Surveys and other studies, have shown that few women, men, and adolescents really understand their fertility and the way in which their bodies work.

This lack of knowledge constrains an individual’s ability to protect his/her reproductive health or the health of their partner.

IRH believes that by placing accurate and accessible information about fertility in the hands of women, men, girls, and boys, they will be able to understand how sex, reproduction and family planning interconnect, ultimately addressing unmet need for family planning. We call this information Fertility Awareness.

Fertility Awareness is actionable information about fertility throughout the life cycle and the ability to apply this knowledge to one’s own circumstances and needs. Specifically, it includes basic information about the menstrual cycle, when and how pregnancy occurs, the likelihood of pregnancy from unprotected intercourse at different times during the cycle and at different life stages, and the role of male fertility. Fertility Awareness can also include information on how specific family planning methods work, how they affect fertility, and how to use them; and it can create the basis for understanding, communicating about and correctly using family planning.

Fertility Awareness can:

empower women, men, and adolescents throughout the life course to identify what is healthy and normal for them and know when to seek reproductive health care.
create the basis for understanding, communicating about and correctly using family planning.
help youth understand their changing bodies and enable them to recognize how their sexual and reproductive selves are influenced by gender and social norms.
foster communication between partners, parents and children, teachers and students, and health care providers and patients.
reinforce concepts of reproductive rights, gender equality, and social norms which, in turn, helps people develop attitudes and behaviors that have a positive effejvzct on reproductive health for all.