The development of hormonal contraception introduced a new era in medical practice, marked by the suppression of female fertility by interventions in the hormonal system. The interventions are very grave, as sex hormones are of existential importance both to preserve human life and to preserve the human species. This article conducts an ethical evaluation of the use of hormonal contraception through two ethical theories: natural law theory and virtue ethics. Based on philosophical reflection, the author examines what effects hormonal contraception has on primary goods and whether its use is congruent with the cardinal virtues. National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly 14.3 (Autumn 2014): 491–524.
hormonal contraception ethics natural law virtue, Laurinec ethical problems hormonal contraception, Catholic bioethics hormonal contraception moral evaluation, natural law theory contraception sex hormones, virtue ethics contraceptive use cardinal virtues, hormonal suppression female fertility ethical analysis, contraception primary goods philosophical reflection, Catholic bioethics quarterly hormonal contraception, sex hormones existential importance ethical evaluation, moral theology birth control hormonal methods
DOI 10.5840/ncbq201414310 10.5840/ncbq201414310
Cite this article
Laurinec, J. (2014). Ethical Problems in the Use of Hormonal Contraception. *The national Catholic bioethics quarterly*, *14*(3), 491-524. https://doi.org/10.5840/ncbq201414310
Laurinec J. Ethical Problems in the Use of Hormonal Contraception. Natl Cathol Bioeth Q. 2014;14(3):491-524. doi:10.5840/ncbq201414310
Laurinec, Jozef. "Ethical Problems in the Use of Hormonal Contraception." *The national Catholic bioethics quarterly*, vol. 14, no. 3, 2014, pp. 491-524.
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