Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) - On the occasion of its 12th general assembly the Pontifical Academy for Life (PAV) organised an international congress on the «The Human Embryo before Implantation. Scientific Update and Bio-ethical Considerations»” (see Fides 27/3/2006) on which the Academy recently issued a final statement of which we give excerpts.
The principle query of the congress was “who or what is the human embryo?”
“In recent years part of the bio-ethical debate focused on the reality of the human embryo considered in itself or in relation to the behaviour of human persons in its regard; this is explained by the fact that many implications (scientific, Philosophical, moral, religious, legislative, economic, ideological, etc.) connected to these fields inevitable catalyse certain interests as well as attract the attention of people in search of authentic moral behaviour.”
The final statement concludes with a quotation from the address given to the congress by Pope Benedict XVI: “God's love does not differentiate between the newly conceived infant still in his or her mother's womb and the child or young person, or the adult and the elderly person. God does not distinguish between them because he sees an impression of his own image and likeness (Gen 1: 26) in each one. He makes no distinctions because he perceives in all of them a reflection of the face of his Only-begotten Son, whom "he chose... before the foundation of the world.... He destined us in love to be his sons... according to the purpose of his will" (Eph 1: 4-6).
(AP) (27/3/2006 Agenzia Fides; Righe:24; Parole:288)
