More correct term would not be suicide, but euthanasia as it is 'assisted suicide' [0]. The Roman Catholic church (and iirc the larger Christian church historically, including Eastern Orthodox) teach both as evil. But I make the distinction because euthanasia - with its larger inter-personal concepts - is the more appropriate target for the story which is pretty focused on the interplay between Western Christianity and Western science.
Throughout the book society struggles with Christianity and church authority, with handling newfound physical power via tech and tools (that spring from the church's efforts), and with how society and the church handle large-scale societal pain. The handling of societal pain part is sometimes more alike between society and the church, sometimes - like with euthanasia you mentioned - more like battle lines.
So the 'foray into ethics' is like the very heart of the book. Not trying to persuade you to like the book, but hope it helps at least understand what you're disliking. If I sound passionate it's only because this is what I like about the book. There are parts I don't like and really don't even get, but at least I appreciate this sort of science fiction that deals with real stuff that I and others have to work through.