Bioethics Public Policy Report: July 22, 2025
STATE By State
Virginia has agreed in a settlement not to fully enforce its ban on “conversion therapy” for minors. The agreement allows for therapists to engage in talk therapy between willing counselors and patients affected by gender dysphoria, respecting the First Amendment rights of all parties, including parents. For further information, click here.
In South Carolina, abortion rates dropped 63% between 2023 and 2024, following the enforcement of the Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act. For further information, click here.
Federal Courts
A federal district court judge blocked the provision of the “Big, Beautiful Bill” that would defund Planned Parenthood, despite the block on Medicaid funding from that provision. The judge issued a temporary restraining order on the federal government pending arguments on a case challenging the provision. For further information, click here.
A Catholic flight attendant who was fired for expressing his beliefs regarding sexuality and marriage has been allowed to proceed with his case against United Airlines and the union to which he belonged for discrimination against him based on age and religion. The court stated that he presented sufficient evidence to survive a dismissal of his case. For further information, click here.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has moved for an injunction pending appeal regarding the partial exemption that was granted in a recent case over a Biden administration Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) abortion accommodation rule concerning the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. The previous ruling allowed the USCCB to deny accommodations to workers seeking elective abortions but left open the possibility of forcing religious employers to accommodate abortions for medical reasons. The EEOC as of yet does not have a quorum to change the rule because President Trump removed the two Democrat-appointed commissioners, and they have not yet been replaced. For further information, click here.
A federal judge has blocked the Washington state law passed in May that would have required priests to violate the seal of the confessional by forcing priests to report any case of child abuse or neglect revealed during confession to the authorities. The judge said, “There is no question that SB 5375 burdens Plaintiffs’ free exercise of religion.” For further information, click here.
The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld West Virginia’s near-total abortion ban in a 2–1 decision, finding that the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) regulations on the chemical abortion drug mifepristone did not preempt the state’s ban on the drug. This ruling marks the first time that a federal court has found that states may regulate mifepristone. For further information, click here.
A federal district court judge blocked a portion of a Tennessee law that makes it a felony to recruit or transport a minor for an illegal abortion without parental consent. Specifically, the portion regarding “recruitment” was blocked on First Amendment grounds, finding that it was unconstitutionally vague as to what constitutes “recruitment,” as it “prohibits speech encouraging lawful abortion while allowing speech discouraging lawful abortion.” For further information, click here.
national
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has lifted a 70-year interpretation of the tax code that previously disallowed churches from endorsing political candidates without losing their non-profit status. The USCCB released a statement saying that the Catholic Church would maintain its stance on not supporting or opposing political candidates, notwithstanding the restriction being lifted. To read the bishops’ statement, click here. For further information, click here.
Legislators in several state legislatures are pushing for an overturn of Obergefell v. Hodges, the Supreme Court case which created a constitutional right to same-sex marriage. Support for resolutions calling for the overturn have been hampered by a continuing public support for same-sex marriage. For further information, click here.
The United States Small Business Administration (SBA) has launched a “Center for Faith” which will end a Biden-era ban on SBA disaster loans to faith-based organizations. For further information, click here.
international
Pope Leo has called for an immediate ceasefire after Holy Family Church in Gaza was hit by what witnesses say were Israeli artillery shells. Over 500 people have been sheltering at the church during the war, and three were killed in the incident. For further information, click here.
In Germany, a constitutional judge parliamentary election was delayed after public outcry from Catholics concerning her views on abortion. For further information, click here.
In Ireland, abortions are up almost 300% since the 2018 referendum repealing the nation’s pro-life laws, despite promises that abortion would be “rare” when the referendum passed. For further information, click here.
The Mexico City government projected pro-abortion images on the Metropolitan Cathedral during a show entitled “Luminous Memory: Mexico-Tenochtitlan 700 Years,” which takes place every night between July 11 and 27, narrating the history of the nation’s capital. The Metropolitan Cathedral’s communications office voiced its disapproval, noting that it had not been consulted as to the content of the show. For further information, click here.
The Catholic bishops of Australia have called for a total ban on surrogacy in the nation, asking for stronger enforcement of the laws already on the books regarding overseas commercial surrogacy. For further information, click here.
of note
Cardinal Parolin, on behalf of Pope Leo, signed a letter to the AI for Good Summit 2025, emphasizing again the need to use artificial intelligence for the good of humanity, reflecting on what it means to be human. To read the letter, click here.
Eight babies were born in the United Kingdom via in vitro fertilization (IVF) using a new technique designed to reduce the risks of genetic mitochondrial diseases. The technique involves a donor egg, a mother’s egg, and a father’s sperm, with many calling the resultant children “three-parent babies.” Aside from the ethical issues with IVF itself, mitochondrial donation involves the deliberate killing of the conceived human being for a "third parent" to use its healthy mitochondrial material for the child engendered by the other two parents. It remains controversial internationally, with many countries having bans in place against it. For further information, click here.
A recent study found a link between the use of hormonal contraception and depression, especially when begun during the postpartum period. For further information, click here.
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The National Catholic Bioethics Center website is a significant resource for bioethics information. NCBC bioethicists are also on call for consultation twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, at 215-877-2660.
Justin Corman
Justin Corman is a guest editor at the NCBC, and a student at Ave Maria School of Law.