http://edition.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/europe/02/13/vatican.clones.reut
http://vatican.va/roman_curia/secretariat_state/2004/documents/rc_seg-st_20040927_cloning_en.htmlst_20040927_cloning_en.html
Vatican released the "Document of the Holy See on Human Cloning” in reaction to the stem cell research in 2004- the year when South Korean scientists successfully extracted the stem cells. The CNN news reports (Feb. 10. 2004) that Vatican officials openly condemned human cloning in the same year.
http://vatican.va/roman_curia/secretariat_state/2004/documents/rc_seg-st_20040927_cloning_en.htmlst_20040927_cloning_en.html
Vatican released the "Document of the Holy See on Human Cloning” in reaction to the stem cell research in 2004- the year when South Korean scientists successfully extracted the stem cells. The CNN news reports (Feb. 10. 2004) that Vatican officials openly condemned human cloning in the same year. The Church’s bioethics advisor criticized the cloning of human embryos stating that cloning is similar to what “Nazis tried to do in WWII concentration camps.” This did have a strong influence; it was the pope who drove former President George W. Bush, a Catholic, to attempt to ban all forms of cloning in Congress and in the United Nations.
The document on Vatican's web site shows the Church’s official stand on this issue. To summarize, Vatican is against the research using the embryonic cell, however, is passively supportive of the use of adult cell. Feeling the pressure of society’s expectation and the enormous potential of biotechnology, Vatican states that “the Holy See is convinced of the need to support and promote scientific research for the benefit of humanity.” This is quite a deviation from the conservative character of Catholics on scientific controversies.
Contrary to what one would expect from a document issued by a religious group, this document does not make any direct reference to the Bible or God. It is a rather scientific document written by a person with a solid understanding in stem cell research. Vatican specifically bans the use of embryonic cells not only by addressing the moral issues, but also by specifically addressing the technical challenges and difficulties. The risks this document addresses include possibility of seeding cancer, causing tumor formation and transferring genetic disorders.
This article grasped my attention among the flood of scientific documents written by
biotechnology specialists. The Catholic Church’s interference with this issue reminded me of the European history course I took during high school; the glorious days of the Church and its officials. Although we live in a secular society now, it is apparent that religion, especially the Catholic Church still is one of the strongest voices on many social issues. Religion cannot be neglected for it shapes the moral values and worldly view of its followers. As shown in President Bush’s case, Church is still the standard of worldly ethics and has a strong influence on policies. The Vatican officials reach out to its believers by clearly stating its opinion and expectations. They go beyond the old Bible-which may seem irrelevant to our world- by applying their own set of beliefs on a recent social issue. The Catholic Church, however, did not simply state its opinion but supported its position with thorough arguments. It employed specialists who proved that the Church was not just being archaic and stubborn but rather reasonable and flexible.
This article highlighted the fact that cloning is a multi-faceted issue. It concerns fields beyond biotechnology. Policy makers should expand their horizon to consider not only the techonological challenges but also religious or ethical controversies.
M. Han
The document on Vatican's web site shows the Church’s official stand on this issue. To summarize, Vatican is against the research using the embryonic cell, however, is passively supportive of the use of adult cell. Feeling the pressure of society’s expectation and the enormous potential of biotechnology, Vatican states that “the Holy See is convinced of the need to support and promote scientific research for the benefit of humanity.” This is quite a deviation from the conservative character of Catholics on scientific controversies.
Contrary to what one would expect from a document issued by a religious group, this document does not make any direct reference to the Bible or God. It is a rather scientific document written by a person with a solid understanding in stem cell research. Vatican specifically bans the use of embryonic cells not only by addressing the moral issues, but also by specifically addressing the technical challenges and difficulties. The risks this document addresses include possibility of seeding cancer, causing tumor formation and transferring genetic disorders.
This article grasped my attention among the flood of scientific documents written by
biotechnology specialists. The Catholic Church’s interference with this issue reminded me of the European history course I took during high school; the glorious days of the Church and its officials. Although we live in a secular society now, it is apparent that religion, especially the Catholic Church still is one of the strongest voices on many social issues. Religion cannot be neglected for it shapes the moral values and worldly view of its followers. As shown in President Bush’s case, Church is still the standard of worldly ethics and has a strong influence on policies. The Vatican officials reach out to its believers by clearly stating its opinion and expectations. They go beyond the old Bible-which may seem irrelevant to our world- by applying their own set of beliefs on a recent social issue. The Catholic Church, however, did not simply state its opinion but supported its position with thorough arguments. It employed specialists who proved that the Church was not just being archaic and stubborn but rather reasonable and flexible.This article highlighted the fact that cloning is a multi-faceted issue. It concerns fields beyond biotechnology. Policy makers should expand their horizon to consider not only the techonological challenges but also religious or ethical controversies.
M. Han
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