Vatican releases document on bioethics

The Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith today released Dignitas Personae, a document which addresses a range of issues including stem cell therapies, embryo experimentation and infertility treatments.

It reaffirms the Vatican's existing teachings, Donum Vitae (1987) and Evangelium Vitae (1995), and addresses new bioethical questions about issues such as hybrid embryos and human cloning.

Dignitas Personae focuses on the dignity of the human embryo, and promotes biomedical research that is respectful of the dignity of every human being and procreation. Key principles it uses to determine whether new biomedical research is ethical include: "'The human being is to be respected and treated as a person from the moment of conception; and therefore from the same moment his or her rights as a person must be recognized, among which in the first place is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life.'" (Dignitas Personae, n.4)

"The origin of human life has its authentic context in marriage and in the family, where it is generated through an act which expresses the reciprocal love between a man and a woman. Procreation which is truly responsible vis-à-vis the child to be born 'must be the fruit of marriage'."(Dignitas Personae, n.6)

"[The Church] hopes moreover that the results of such research may also be made available in areas of the world that are poor and afflicted by disease, so that those who are most in need will receive humanitarian assistance." (Dignitas Personae, n.3)
"The Bishops of England and Wales welcome this new Instruction on bioethics," said the Most Reverend Peter Smith, Archbishop of Cardiff. "It affirms the Church's support of ethical scientific research that seeks to cure disease and relieve suffering."

Dignitas Personae acknowledges the great strides biomedical research has made in the treatment of diseases and calls for more scientific development in areas such as adult stem cell research: "Methods which do not cause serious harm to the subject from whom the stem cells are taken are to be considered licit. This is generally the case when tissues are taken from: a) an adult organism; b) the blood of the umbilical cord at the time of birth; c) fetuses who have died of natural causes. The obtaining of stem cells from a living human embryo, on the other hand, invariably causes the death of the embryo and is consequently gravely illicit" (Dignitas Personae, n. 32)

"Research initiatives involving the use of adult stem cells, since they do not present ethical problems, should be encouraged and supported." (Dignitas Personae, n. 32)

The Vatican's comments about this issue are particularly timely given recent news reports of a woman in Spain whose trachea was repaired using adult stem cells. Other promising surgeries involving adult stem cell therapies were announced last week in Hanover, Germany to help stroke victims regain movement and speech and at Imperial College London to help heart attack patients.

Archbishop Smith said: "These developments demonstrate the power of medical science and the potential of adult stem cells in curing diseases and relieving suffering," said the Most Reverend Peter Smith, Archbishop of Cardiff. "We hope to see more research focusing on adult stem cells, as their use raises none of the problems created by embryonic stem cells which require the destruction of human embryos."

Dignitas Personae recognises the important role that professionals in the biomedical community play in society:
"The Magisterium also seeks to offer a word of support and encouragement for the perspective on culture which considers science an invaluable service to the integral good of the life and dignity of every human being. The Church therefore views scientific research with hope and desires that many Christians will dedicate themselves to the progress of biomedicine and will bear witness to their faith in this field." (Dignitas Personae, n.3)

Dignitas Personae also responds to new bioethical questions about hybrid embryos and human cloning:

Hybrid embryos

"From the ethical standpoint, such procedures represent an offense against the dignity of human beings on account of the admixture of human and animal genetic elements capable of disrupting the specific identity of man. The possible use of the stem cells, taken from these embryos, may also involve additional health risks, as yet unknown, due to the presence of animal genetic material in their cytoplasm. To consciously expose a human being to such risks is morally and ethically unacceptable." (Dignitas Personae, n.33)

Human Cloning

"Human cloning is intrinsically illicit in that it seeks to give rise to a new human being without a connection to the act of reciprocal self-giving between the spouses and, more radically, without any link to sexuality. This leads to manipulation and abuses gravely injurious to human dignity." (Dignitas Personae, n.28)

God Protect this thread from bashers.

Hey ya know I had an argument with a woman of the same faith about in vitro no known owner of the egg/sperm.

If you cant ancestrally (if that is a word ) trace all these babies how soon will it be before genetic inbreeding comes because of this.

I support this article. BTW.

Most profound truths in this document and few will understand the whys of it. If you are one of those who can’t, ask yourself what it is you don’t know.

I will bet, from my own experience, that you have not been educated in the basic philosophical hisorical thought of the western world.

The only rememdy for such cultural illiteracy is self study of the history of our thought.

You can also get mad at your schools if you want. I have.

I will bet, from my own experience, that you have not been educated in the basic philosophical hisorical thought of the western world.

I'm in.

Schools?

I do not have kids that have suffered in one of those Govt. Institutions but know many parents who are now Grandparents who have fought the battle.

Forced Ritalin and if the parents do not feed the children the doses they are accused of abuse.

I understand medical illness and the need for medication but to dose every child is not appropriate.

Like giving non ashmetic kids inhalers.

My friend of 20plus years had her Grandchild say she was evil because she voted for Palin and her teacher said so.

Just a sample of what govt institutions are doing.

And some folks wonder why I think Obama is detrimental to our society/country.

I pray I am as wrong as the Y2kers but just in case we have stocked up for 3yrs and yes even in dog food.

Dignitas Personae (The Dignity of a Person)

Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith

Dignitas Personae, an Instruction on ethical issues arising from biomedical research, was published by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, 12 December 2008. The Instruction defends the life of unborn human beings, created in the image of God, and provides guidance on how to respect human life and human procreation in our scientific age.

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