Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Castel Gandolfo (Agenzia Fides) - In the morning of Monday 17 September at Castelgandolfo, Pope Benedict XVI received participants at a Congress promoted by the Pontifical Academy for Life and by the International Federation of Catholic Doctors' Associations on the theme: "Stem cells, what future for therapy?"
Benedict XVI began his remarks by observing how "research into somatic stem cells merits approval and encouragement when it brings together scientific knowledge, the most advanced technology in the field of biology, and the ethic that postulates respect for human beings at every stage of their existence. How can we fail to feel it is our duty to praise those involved in this research and those who support its organisation and expenses?”
The Holy Father recalled that “when science is applied to alleviate suffering and when on this path it discovers new resources it shows itself to be rich in humanity: for the great effort invested in research and for the benefit announced for those afflicted by disease .” He continued “in the face of the frequent and unjust accusations of insensitivity directed against the Church," and added, "I would like to underline the constant support she has given over the course of her two thousand-year history to research aimed at the cure of illnesses and at the good of humanity”: “If there has been - and there still is - resistance, it was and is against those forms of research that involve the planned suppression of human beings who are already alive, though they may not yet have been born." Pope Benedict said XVI -. In these cases science, except for results of therapeutic utility, does not place itself truly at the service of humanity. It passes in fact through the suppression of human persons who have the same dignity as other human persons and the researchers themselves. “History has condemned such science in the past, and will condemn it in the future, not only because it is devoid of the light of God, but also because it is devoid of humanity.”
The Church then reaffirmed the teaching of the Church: “In the face of the direct suppression of human beings," he continued, "there can be no compromise or prevarication” and “the well being of the human person must be sought not only in universally valid finalities, but also in the methods used to reach these ends: a good end can never justify means intrinsically wrong”.
During the congress the Scientists expressed commitment to and hope of "achieving new therapeutic results by using cells from the adult body without having to suppress newly-conceived human beings” and results are rewarding this work. The Pope said he hoped God would grant them “the joy of discovering the truth, the wisdom in consideration and respect for every human being and success in research for effective remedies to human suffering”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 18/9/2006 - righe 31; parole 446)
