Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Brasilia (Agenzia Fides) - The Brazilian Bishops’ Conference (CNBB) has issued a statement expressing their regret for the Supreme Court’s decision to allow researchers to use embryos reserved for in vitro fertilization that have been frozen for over three years in fertilization clinics, for therapeutic and scientific research.
As the Bishops affirm, it is not simply a religious matter, but rather a matter of the promotion and defense of human life from the moment of its conception, no matter what circumstances surround it.
“Recognizing that the embryo is a human being from the beginning of its life cycle,” the note reads, “also implies recognizing its extreme vulnerability, which demands a commitment from us all towards this human in his weakness, an attention that should be guaranteed by the ethical behavior of scientists and their methods, and by an adequate national and international legislation.” The Bishops mention that as the embryo is a human life, as embryology and biology has recognized, “it has the right to government protection.” Thus, “it is most unfortunate that the Supreme Court has not confirmed this right and has permitted that human lives in an embryonic state may be exterminated.” In their statement, the Bishops also recall the high risk that is implied in the use of stem cells taken from human embryos and that is a widely-known and accepted fact that they are not a remedy in curing many illnesses. The most viable alternative in scientific research is the use of adult stem cells extracted from the patient himself, that are already being used to treat 20,000 people.
The document continues, saying, “we reaffirm that for the simple fact that this issue concerns a human life, it demands full respect for his integrity and dignity: every mode of action that can present a threat or offense to the fundamental rights of the human person – the first of all being the right to life – is considered a grave immoral offense.” The Bishops conclude their statement by recalling the fact that the CNBB will continue working in defense of life from conception to natural death. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 30/5/2008)
