Condom Use and Culture of Life: The Roman Catholic Church Dilemma in the Wake of New HIV Infections

The World has devotedly committed to ending HIV and AIDS epidemic by 2030. However, the latest global data demonstrate among other challenges an increase in new HIV infections. In 2015 there was an increase of new HIV infections from 1.8 million to 2.4 million, an average of 2.1 million. In light of this challenge of increasing new HIV infections, a scrutiny on the effectiveness of HIV prevention strategies and measures is important. Abstinence, fidelity and condom use are among the strategies that have been lauded to prevent further transmission of HIV infections. However, the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) stance and repression of condom use by her adherents bars the positive strides of preventing the spread of HIV. This paper addresses the possible grounds for review of the RCC negative stance on condom use. This is premised on the famous Pope John Paul II’s culture of life theology that upholds not only the sanctity of human life but also the intrinsic value and dignity of the human person. A phenomenological approach was employed in guiding this discourse. The following concepts illuminate this worth course. They include the primacy of subjective interiority in sexual choices, valued inter-relational sociability of human persons and pursuance of eschatological hope. In this era of HIV and AIDS, we argue for a relational eschatology rather than a punitive eschaton. This is believed to cushion a time that is permeated with relational challenges that are meant to steer the values of love and trust. Keywords: Condom use, culture of life, HIV and AIDS, new infections, church teaching on sexualit

An Ethical Claim for Administration of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PREP) in HIV and AIDS Burdened Africa

It is morally justifiable for every person of good will to venture into HIV and AIDs prevention among the populace. Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) administration promises to help meet the promise of this moral claim, which is founded on two ethical principles of ensuring wellbeing and justice for all. In spite of the efforts, challenges abound, especially in Africa. Some African tenets of sexuality, unavailability of contextualized and harmonized African sexuality theory as well as Africa’s poor economic standing are major threats to the administration of PrEP. This paper highlighted the major challenges and calls for their resolution if PrEP administration is to be of help to the poor and HIV burdened Africans.Key Words: HIV prevention, Preexposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), well-being, justic

Rethinking Value Pluralism in the Ethics of Sharing Benefits and Burdens in Collaborative Research

The paper argues for an ethical consideration of value pluralism, which advocates for consideration and respect of differing values that emanate from diverging contexts and positionalities. Advancements in medical health research has resulted in tremendous increase in national and international collaborations, though with exploitative tendencies. Exploitation in collaborative research is however, avoidable if expected research benefits and burdens are shared fairly. Power imbalance dynamics from global north to south impound the ethical principle of fairness. The appreciation of multiplicity of values/benefits that are distinct, creates room for an embrace of the principle of autonomy which safeguards exploitation, by appreciating heterogeneous identity. Keywords: Benefit and burden sharing, Collaborative research, Exploitation, Fairness/Justice, Value pluralism, heterogeneous identity DOI: 10.7176/JCSD/61-05 Publication date:September 30th 2020