Inter Vitam et Mortem

In this episode of Inter Vitam et Mortem, Dr. Mary Anne Urlakis interviews Dr. Alan Moy, founder of Cellular Engineering Technologies (CET) (March 12, 2024)In 2005, Dr. Moy left his tenured academic career  to start a private solo pulmonary practice at a nearby Catholic hospital and started, on the same day, Cellular Engineering Technologies (CET), a biotech company with a modest goal of manufacturing adult stem cels. In 2006, he founded the non-profit John Paul II Medical Research Institute (JP2MRI). Initially the mission was to educate society on pro-life medical research ethics and advocate for the US to pursue adult stem cell research. CET/JP2MRI developed biotechnology that is now superior and has the future potential to replace embryonic stem cells and aborted fetal cells that now commonly are used in the biopharmaceutical industry. While this change will not occur overnight, the scientific and business foundation is in place to support this vision. See the paper that was published in the Linacre Quarterly that describes Dr. Moy's journey.  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32549639/Dr. Moy was recently asked to publish a paper on the challenges of induced pluripotent stem cells for the European Medical Society.  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38188933/Both CET/JP2MRI are at an inflection point in their science and business to take off and hopefully achieve the vision that Dr. Moy started 2 decades ago.  Dr. Moy recently published an honest criticism directed towards Catholic and pro-life institutions.  https://thefederalist.com/2024/02/12/this-one-abortion-story-changed-medicine-forever-but-pro-lifers-hardly-talk-about-it/

Episode 45 of WCAT Radio’s “Inter Vitam et Mortem: Between Life and Death: Interviews and Discussion with a Catholic Bioethicist” is broadcast in conjunction with the Institute for the Theological Encounter Between Science and Technology (ITEST) and an upcoming webinar entitled “The Moral Arguments in the Embryo Adoption Debate.”Show host and Co-Founder of the Dignitas Personae Institute for Nascent Human Life, Dr. Mary Anne Urlakis, discusses the sacred dignity of embryonic human life with Laura Elm, the Founder and President of Sacred Heart Guardians and Shelter. Sacred Heart Guardians and Shelter is a charitable organization, guided by a profound respect for the dignity of every human person from the first moment of existence and founded with the mission of providing corporal and spiritual care for the youngest and smallest members of the human family. To this end, Sacred Heart Guardians and Shelter facilitates a dignified, prayerful, Catholic burial for embryos who die in Artificial Reproductive Technology (ART) laboratories. In this episode, Mary Anne and Laura discuss the fragility of embryonic human life and the necessity of treating each and every human person with the sacred dignity requisite to being created in the Image and Likeness of God.Additional information and registration for the May 8, 2021 ITEST Webinar, entitled “The Moral Arguments in the Embryo Adoption Debate” can be found on the Institute for the Theological Encounter Between Science and Technology page at: Embryo Adoption - Institute for Theological Encounter with Science and Technology (faithscience.org).

Dr. Stacy Trasancos joins Dr. Mary Anne Urlakis for Episode 44 of WCAT Radio’s “Inter Vitam et Mortem: Between Life and Death: Interviews and Discussion with a Catholic Bioethicist” to discuss the current COVID vaccinations. Dr. Trasancos is a scientist, theologian, and mother; she holds a Doctorate in Chemistry from Penn State University and a Master’s in Dogmatic Theology (summa cum laude) from Holy Apostles College and Seminary. Dr. Trasancos is the Executive Director of Bishop Joseph Strickland’s St. Philip Institute of Catechesis and Evangelization in Tyler, Texas, and the Chief Research Officer of Children of God for Life. She is a Fellow of the Word on Fire Institute and an Adjunct Professor at Seton Hall University Catholic Studies program. Her work focuses on the integration of faith and science. In this episode Stacy Trasancos and Mary Anne Urlakis discuss the ethical implications of the current COVID vaccines, as well as those vaccines currently in development. Their ethical inquiry centers on three significant bioethical issues: (1) the liceity of using abortion-derived cell-lines for vaccine production, (2) the necessity of authentically informed consent, and (3) the sanctity of the human conscience and the issue of paternalism and coercion.Dr. Trasancos is a frequent guest on Catholic media, including Relevant Radio, Ave Maria Radio, EWTN, Catholic Answers Live, and The Journey Home. She has written numerous articles for Catholic publications and is the author of Science Was Born of Christianity: The Teaching of Fr. Stanley L. Jaki and Particles of Faith: A Catholic Guide to Navigating Science (Ave Maria Press), which has also been published as a textbook for Catholic high schools and colleges.Additionally, she has published a Catholic Answers booklet 20 Answers: Bioethics, and she writes the Science column for the National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly. In her most recent book, she examines the scientific evidence for Eucharistic miracles, co-authored with Fr. George Elliott entitled Behold, It Is I: Scripture, Tradition, and Science on the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist (TAN Books). More information is available on the Children of God for Life website: https://cogforlife.org. Additionally, Dr. Stacy Trasancos’ position statement regarding the use of tissue derived from abortion in the development and production of COVID vaccines can be found at National Catholic Register and Catholic Answers. Her recent webinar presentation for ITEST, the Institute for the Theological Encounter with Science and Technology, entitled: “Is it Moral to Take the COVID Vaccine?” is available at: COVID-19 Vaccine Ethics - Institute for Theological Encounter with Science and Technology (faithscience.org).

Sr. Marysia Weber, R.S.M., M.A., D.O., joins WCAT Radio Host, Dr. Mary Anne Urlakis for Episode 43 of “Inter Vitam et Mortem: Between Life and Death: Interviews and Discussion with a Catholic Bioethicist,” to discuss the challenging topic of achieving hope, healing, and chastity after pornography addiction or compulsion.Sr. Marysia is a board-certified physician, specializing in psychiatry with a fellowship in consulting-liaison psychiatry; she completed her residency and training at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Sister earned a Master’s Degree in Theology from Notre Dame. Sr. Marysia Weber practiced psychiatry at her religious institute’s multidisciplinary clinic- Sacred Heart Mercy Health Care Center, in Alma, MI from 1988-2014. In 2014, Sr. Marysia accepted the role of Director of the Office of Consecrated Life for the Archdiocese of St. Louis, where she is also a facilitator for Project Rachel, the Chair of the Board of Directors for MyCatholic Doctor, and an executive board member of the St. Louis Guild of the Catholic Medical Association, and an executive board member for the Institute for Theological Encounter with Science and Technology. Sister also serves as an Adjunct Clinical Instructor in the Dept of Psychiatry at Washington University School of Medicine, in St. Louis. Additionally, Sr. Marysia has published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals and has authored several books -- most recently penning two chapters in the new text on priestly formation: Spiritual Husbands- Spiritual Fathers: Priestly Formation for the 21st Century, edited by Bishop Felipe Estevez and Bishop Andrew Cozzens, published by Holy Apostles College and Seminary’s Enroute Books and Media. Sr. Marysia is a highly sought-after speaker and expert, and has presented to the Roman Curia, at the Vatican in 2002 regarding the Sexual Abuse by Clergy in North American.In this interview, Sr. Marysia and Dr. Urlakis address the issue of pornography use, compulsion, and addiction. Sr. Marysia shares her expertise, not only discussing the scope of the problem and the neuroscience behind internet pornography addiction, but also revealing effective and authentically Catholic strategies for hope and healing.

In Episode 42 of Inter Vitam et Mortem: Between Life & Death: Interviews and Discussion with a Catholic Bioethicist, Dr. Mary Anne Urlakis interviews Laura Elm, the Founder and Executive Director of Sacred Heart Guardians and Shelter. Sacred Heart Guardians and Shelter is a charitable organization guided by a profound respect for the dignity of every human person from the first moment of existence and founded with the mission of providing corporal and spiritual care for the tiniest and most vulnerable members of the human family. To this end, Sacred Heart Guardians and Shelter facilitates a dignified, prayerful, Catholic burial for human embryos who die in Artificial Reproductive Technology (ART) Laboratories. In this interview, Laura Elm and Dr. Urlakis discuss the scope of the mission of Sacred Heart Guardians and Shelter and the unintended consequences of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) which have prompted this unique and necessary mission. More information regarding Sacred Heart Guardians and Shelter can be found on their website at: https://sacredheartguardians.org/services/burial/. (September 28, 2020)

Dr. Raymond Dennehy is Dr. Mary Anne Urlakis’ guest on Episode 41 of “Inter Vitam et Mortem: Between Life & Death: Interviews and Discussion with a Catholic Bioethicist.” Dr. Dennehy is a Professor Emeritus of Philosophy, having taught 41 years at the University of California, Berkeley. He is known as a staunch defender of the sanctity of human life and has been awarded the 2013 Rupert and Timothy Smith Award for Distinguished Contributions to Pro-Life Scholarship, by the pro-life organization, “University Faculty for Life.” Dr. Dennehy is a redoubtable debater, an out-spoken contributor, a published author, and a decorated scholar. In this interview, Dr. Dennehy discusses his faith and his illustrious career as a university professor on the front lines of the battle against the “Culture of Death.” (May 8, 2020)

Dr. Al Kertz is Dr. Mary Anne Urlakis’ guest on Episode 40 of “Inter Vitam et Mortem: Between Life & Death: Interviews and Discussion with a Catholic Bioethicist.” Dr. Kertz earned his Ph.D. in Animal Nutrition from Cornell University, as well as a B.S. and M.S. from the University of Missouri and is a distinguished member of the American Dairy Science Association. Dr. Kertz is also a member of the Institute for Theological Encounter with Science and Technology. As a renown scientist and authority in the field of Dairy Science, Dr. Kertz is a highly-sought-after consultant, sharing his expertise in the United States and abroad. Dr. Kertz has traveled to China approximately 30 times, and has visited 15 of the 22 provinces, 3 of the 4 major metropolitan areas, and flown into 14 airports. As both a scientist and as an individual who has traveled extensively in China, Dr. Kertz is able to share a unique perspective. In this episode, Dr. Kertz and Dr. Urlakis explore issues regarding the current COVID19 Pandemic and discuss the implicit challenges to bioethical analysis in this rapidly changing situation. Among the topics they discuss are the reliability of information and data regarding the origin of the COVID19 virus and the far-reaching ramifications of scientific discovery in this unique moment in history. (May 4, 2020)

Fr. Luke Dysinger, O.S.B and Dr. Mary Anne Urlakis discuss the bioethical issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic on Episode 39 of “Inter Vitam et Mortem: Between Life and Death: Interviews and Discussion with a Catholic Bioethicist.” Fr. Luke Dysinger is Roman Catholic priest, physician, bioethicist, and educator. He received his M.D. from the University of Southern California and was Board Certified in Family Practice after a completing a residency at UCLA. Fr. Luke joined the Benedictine Community of St. Andrew’s Abbey in 1980, making his Solemn Profession of Vows in 1985, and was ordained to the ministerial priesthood in 1986. Fr. Luke Dysinger, O.S.B. studied Theology at Oxford University and received his D. Phil in Theology in 2000. Fr. Luke is the Chairman of the Department of Theology at St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo. He is widely published and shares his expertise in theology and bioethics via his academic work and membership on hospital ethics committees. In this episode, Fr. Luke Dysinger and Dr. Mary Anne Urlakis discuss the current COVID-19 pandemic and its bioethical ramifications in light of Catholic Moral Theology. Among the topics they consider are: the care of vulnerable, the allocation of scarce resources, decision making and moral praxis in global crisis situation, the immutable value of the sanctity of human life, the limits of medicine and the role of palliative care. Lastly, Fr. Luke addresses issues and concerns specific to men in formation. Join Dr. Urlakis and Fr. Luke Dysinger for an informative and relevant broadcast regarding the current COVID-19 situation. (March 30, 2020)

Ethical Prenatal Testing and Diagnosis is the topic of conversation between Dr. Mary Anne Urlakis and guest Chris Reilly on Episode 38 of “Inter Vitam et Mortem: Between Life and Death: Interviews & Discussion with a Catholic Bioethicist.” Chris Reilly is a Catholic speaker and author whose work has been published in the National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly, Ethics and Medics, Linacre Quarterly, Human Life Review, New Oxford Review. Mr. Reilly earned a Master’s Degree in Public and International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh, a Bachelor's Degree in political science from Bates College, and is a currently enrolled graduate student in Moral Theology and Bioethics at Holy Apostles College and Seminary. Chris has recently co-authored a chapter on "Prenatal Testing and Diagnosis" in Catholic Health Care Ethics, 3rd edition, published by the National Catholic Bioethics Center. Join Dr. Urlakis and Chris for a discussion regarding the ethical parameters of prenatal testing and diagnosis. (February 8, 2020)

Steven Pokorny, M.A., MTS, the Founder and Executive Director of Freedom-Coaching [https://freedom-coaching.net/ ], is Dr. Urlakis’ guest on Episode 37 of “Inter Vitam et Mortem: Between Life and Death.” In this episode, Dr. Urlakis and Steven Pokorny discuss the bioethical dimensions regarding the challenging topic of recovery from compulsive attraction to pornographic material. The pornography industry is multi-billion-dollar enterprise that harms families, wrecks marriages, creates loneliness, and darkens souls. It is an industry that perpetuates isolation by fostering an intimate emotional bond with an artificial fantasy world; causing those who become dependent upon it to relinquish the authentic God-given beauty of the human person in exchange for a fabricated identity. In this interview, Dr. Mary Anne Urlakis discusses with Stephen Pokorny his book: Redeemed Vision: Setting the Blind Free from the Pornified Culture, and the essential steps necessary to break free from the detrimental effects of porn compulsion, and their bioethical implications (December 3, 2019).

Victoria Thorn, the Foundress of Project Rachel, and Foundress and Executive Director of the National Office of Post-Abortion Reconciliation and Healing, is the guest on Episode 36 of Inter Vitam et Mortem. Vicki Thorn and Mary Anne Urlakis discuss the critical ministry of post-abortion reconciliation and healing, and its thirty-five-year history under the dynamic leadership of Ms. Vicki Thorn. Vicki is a nationally known speaker, author, and educator. She has been a Corresponding Member of the Pontifical Academy for Life for nearly two decades and is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Psychology at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family. On October 7, 2019, the de Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture at Notre Dame University, announced that Vicki Thorn would be the 2020 recipient of the prestigious Evangelium Vitae Medal. Regarding the announcement of the upcoming award, Bishop Kevin Rhoades of Fort-Wayne-South-Bend Indiana praised Vickie and stated, “She has helped thousands of women who had an abortion to accept St. John Paul II’s invitation in Evangelium Vitae to ‘not give in to discouragement and not to lose hope.’ Project Rachel reminds us that the Gospel of Jesus, the Gospel of Life, is also the Gospel of Mercy. . . . (source: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/project-rachel-founder-to-receive-evangelium-vitae-medal-72912 ).” Join Dr. Mary Anne Urlakis and Prof. Vicki Thorn for this lively discussion of the need for compassionate, merciful, spiritual healing for men and women who suffer from post-abortion trauma. For more information on Project Rachel and the National Office of Post-Abortion Healing, visit: http://www.noparh.org/projectrachels.html. (November 25, 2019)

Dr. Al Kertz returns as Mary Anne Urlakis’ guest on Episode 35 of Inter Vitam et Mortem: Between Life & Death: Discussion with a Catholic Bioethicist. As a renown scientist and authority in the field of Dairy Science, Dr. Kertz is a frequently sought consultant, sharing his expertise in the United States and abroad. As a consultant, Dr. Kertz has traveled to China nearly 30 times, and has visited 15 of the 22 provinces, 3 of the 4 major metropolitan areas, and flown into 14 airports. As a result of Dr. Kertz’s frequent, extensive, and prolonged travel in China, he is able to share a unique perspective on the topics of culture and religion. In this episode, Dr. Kertz and Dr. Urlakis explore these issues, including a discussion of: the social and cultural results of the official “One Child Policy,” religious persecution, the plight of the Uighurs, as well as elucidating the difference between the underground Catholic Church and Chinese Patriotic Catholic Church. [Dr. Al Kertz was a previous guest on Inter Vitam et Mortem; he and Dr. Urlakis discussed the topic of Faith and Science in Episode 27.]

It is fitting that the month of October, which is dedicated to the Sanctity of Human Life, is also Spina Bifida Awareness Month. In Episode 34, of Inter Vitam et Mortem: Between Life and Death, Dr. Mary Anne Urlakis and this week’s guest, Mrs. Abby Zignego, discuss the challenges and joys unique to parenting a child who is affected with Spina Bifida. (October 21, 2019)

Dr. Lisa Fortini-Campbell is Mary Anne Urlakis’ guest on Episode 33 of Inter Vitam et Mortem: Between Life and Death. Dr. Lisa Fortini-Campbell is well-known to WCAT Radio listeners as the Co-Host of the programs By His Wounds We are Healed, (https://wcatradio.com/byhiswoundswearehealed/) and Duc in Altum (https://wcatradio.com/ducinaltum/ ); two series of podcast reflections in the form of directed spiritual retreats with the renown spiritual director, Rev. Joseph Charles Henchey, CSS, STD. In this episode of Inter Vitam et Mortem, Dr. Fortini-Campbell discusses her role as caregiver for Fr. Joseph Henchey, including the personal story of her own conversion to Catholicism and enduring bond of love and friendship that supports her role as caregiver to this extraordinary priest. (October 7, 2019)

Paul A. Byrne, M.D., is Dr. Mary Anne Urlakis’ guest on Episode 32 of Inter Vitam et Mortem: Between Life & Death. A pioneer in the field of neonatology, Dr. Byrne is the Founder and previous Director of the NICU at Cardinal Glennon Hospital for Children in St. Louis, Missouri. Dr. Byrne is currently a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Toledo and the President of the Life Guardian Foundation. He is a former National President of the Catholic Medical Association (USA). In this episode, Dr. Byrne discusses not only the inception of neonatology as an academic clinical medical discipline but also the sensitive and controversial topic of brain death and organ harvesting. As an expert in the field, Dr. Byrne has published salient articles in peer-reviewed journals regarding the issue of brain death for forty years, he is frequently sought as a consultant and expert speaker and has been an invited presenter at the Pontifical Academy of Sciences in Vatican City. (September 23, 2019)

Ms. Nancy Dunham is the guest on this Episode of Inter Vitam et Mortem: Between Life and Death. Nancy holds a Master’s Degree in Theology from the Franciscan University in Steubenville and is a retired hospital chaplain specializing in Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine. In this episode, Nancy shares her courageous story of hope and inspiration with Dr. Mary Anne Urlakis. Nancy was born in the 1950s at 20 weeks gestation. The significant physical limitations of her cerebral palsy afford Nancy a unique perspective on the inviolable dignity of every human person. As a pinned honorary Marine, Nancy shares in this episode her perception of the meaning of the mottos “Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome,” and “Semper Fidelis”. Tune in for an unforgettable story of faith and hope. (September 16, 2019)

Dr. Paul Hruz, M.D., Ph.D., is the guest on this Episode of Inter Vitam et Mortem: Between Life and Death: Interviews and Discussion with a Catholic Bioethicist. Dr. Paul Hruz is a Pediatric Endocrinologist; as a physician and a scientist, Dr. Hruz is frequently invited to share his expertise as a speaker on the topic of gender dysphoria. Dr. Hruz has authored several scholarly peer-reviewed articles regarding medical treatment of individuals with gender dysphoria. In this episode, Dr. Hruz and Dr. Mary Anne Urlakis discuss the sensitive topic of gender dysphoria; focusing on the bioethical, medical, and human anthropological dimensions of the topic, including need for compassionate pastoral care for individuals who suffer from this condition. (September 2, 2019)

Francis Etheredge, acclaimed author, philosopher, and ethicist, is Mary Anne Urlakis’ guest on Episode 29 of Inter Vitam Et Mortem: Between Life and Death. In this episode, Francis Etheredge and Dr. Urlakis discuss Etheredge’s most recent book: Conception: An Icon of the Beginning, which examines the philosophical, theological, bioethical, scientific, and historical facets implicit in the study of human conception. In this interview, Francis Etheredge and Mary Anne Urlakis explore the Magisterial teaching regarding the sanctity of human life from the moment of conception, and its relevance to the field of biomedical ethics. Francis Etheredge is the author of numerous books and publications, including The Human Person: A Bioethical Word (2017), and the recently published, Conception: An Icon of the Beginning available at http://enroutebookesandmedia.com/conception/. Dr. Urlakis is a contributing author and has written the General Foreword to both texts. (July 29, 2019)

In this episode of Inter Vitam et Mortm: Between Life and Death: Interviews & Discussion with a Catholic Bioethicist, Dr. Mary Anne Urlakis interviews Laura Elm, the Founder and Executive Director of Sacred Heart Guardians and Shelter. Sacred Heart Guardians and Shelter is a charitable organization, guided by a profound respect for the dignity of every human person from the first moment of existence and founded with the mission of providing corporal and spiritual care for the youngest and smallest members of the human family. To this end, Sacred Heart Guardians and Shelter fascilitates a dignified, prayerful, Catholic burial for embryos who die in Artificial Reproductive Technology (ART) laboratories. In this poignant interview, Laura and Dr. Urlakis discuss the founding of Sacred Heart Guardians, and the unintended consequences of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) which prompted this necessary and unique mission. More information regarding Sacred Heart Guardians and Shelter can be found on their website at: https://sacredheartguardians.org/services/burial/. (July 22, 2019)

Dr. Al Kertz is Mary Anne Urlakis’ guest on this Episode of Inter Vitam et Mortem: Between Life & Death: Discussion with a Catholic Bioethicist. In this program, Dr. Kertz and Dr. Urlakis discuss the history and relevance of Faith and Science. Dr. Kertz earned is Ph.D. in Animal Nutrition from Cornell University, as well as a B.S. and M.S. from the University of Missouri, and is a distinguished member of the American Dairy Science Association. Dr. Kertz is also a member of the Institute for Theological Encounter with Science and Technology. As a renown scientist and authority in the field of Dairy Science, Dr. Kertz is a frequently sought consultant, sharing his expertise in the United States, and throughout the world, including work in Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Venezuala, Spain, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, South Korea, China, and Russia. It is with his distinguished background as a scholar and scientist as well as his expertise as a Magisteriaum-faithful Catholic that Dr. Kertz joins Dr. Urlakis in this interview to explore the relationship between Science and Faith. (July 1, 2019)