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“Dignitas personae” explained

MATERCARE INTERNATIONAL’SMATERCARE INTERNATIONAL’S

88THTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

September 1st 2011

Fr. Maurizio Pietro Fr. Maurizio Pietro FaggioniFaggioni, , ofmofm

explained

TwentyTwenty yearsyears afterafter……

CDF,CDF, InstructionInstruction DonumDonum vitaevitae,, 19871987

CDF,CDF, InstructionInstruction DignitasDignitas PersonaePersonae,, 20092009

TheThe teachingteaching ofof DonumDonum vitaevitae remainsremains completelycompletely

valid,valid, bothboth withwith regardregard toto thethe principlesprinciples onon whichwhich itit isis

basedbased andand thethe moralmoral evaluationsevaluations whichwhich itit expressesexpresses..

However,However, newnew biomedicalbiomedical technologiestechnologies whichwhich havehave

beenbeen introducedintroduced inin thethe criticalcritical areaarea ofof humanhuman lifelife andand

thethe familyfamily havehave givengiven riserise toto newnew questions,questions, ininthethe familyfamily havehave givengiven riserise toto newnew questions,questions, inin

particularparticular inin thethe fieldfield ofof researchresearch onon humanhuman embryos,embryos,

thethe useuse ofof stemstem cellscells forfor therapeutictherapeutic purposes,purposes, asas

wellwell asas inin otherother areasareas ofof experimentalexperimental medicinemedicine..

TheseThese newnew questionsquestions requirerequire answersanswers..

DignitasDignitas personaepersonae,, 11

FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLEFUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE

The dignity of a person The dignity of a person must be recognized in must be recognized in must be recognized in must be recognized in

every human being from every human being from conception to natural conception to natural

death. death.

FIRST PARTFIRST PART

Anthropological, Theological and Ethical Anthropological, Theological and Ethical Aspects of Human Life and ProcreationAspects of Human Life and Procreation

SECOND PARTSECOND PART

New Problems Concerning ProcreationNew Problems Concerning Procreation

THIRD PARTTHIRD PART

New Treatments which Involve the New Treatments which Involve the Manipulation of the Embryo or the Human Manipulation of the Embryo or the Human Genetic PatrimonyGenetic Patrimony


Anthropological, Theological Anthropological, Theological and Ethical Aspects of Human and Ethical Aspects of Human Life and ProcreationLife and Procreation


Anthropological, Theological Anthropological, Theological and Ethical Aspects of Human and Ethical Aspects of Human Life and ProcreationLife and ProcreationLife and ProcreationLife and ProcreationLife and ProcreationLife and Procreation

TWO BASIC CRITERIATWO BASIC CRITERIA

TO EVALUATE QUESTIONSTO EVALUATE QUESTIONS

IN THIS FIELDIN THIS FIELD

1. 1. RespectRespect forfor the life the life ofof the the newlynewly conceivedconceived..

2. Connection 2. Connection betweenbetween the the transmissiontransmission ofof life life and and conjugalconjugal love and the love and the actsacts expressingexpressing itit..

1. 1. RespectRespect forfor the life the life ofof the the newlynewly conceivedconceived beingbeing..

TheThe fruitfruit ofof humanhuman generation,generation, fromfrom thethe

firstfirst momentmoment ofof itsits existence,existence, thatthat isis toto say,say,

fromfrom thethe momentmoment thethe zygotezygote hashas formed,formed,

demandsdemands thethe unconditionalunconditional respectrespect thatthat isis

morallymorally duedue toto thethe humanhuman beingbeing inin hishismorallymorally duedue toto thethe humanhuman beingbeing inin hishis

bodilybodily andand spiritualspiritual totalitytotality..

DignitasDignitas personaepersonae 4 (= 4 (= DonumDonum vitae I, 1vitae I, 1))

TheThe humanhuman beingbeing isis toto bebe

respectedrespected andand treatedtreated asas aa

personperson fromfrom thethe momentmoment ofof

conceptionconception..conceptionconception..DonumDonum VitaeVitae I, 1.I, 1.

ThisThis ethicalethical statementstatement (( latlat.. sententiasententia))"" presupposespresupposes aa truthtruth ofof anan ontologicalontologicalcharactercharacter..

TheThe realityreality ofof thethe humanhuman beingbeing forfor thetheentireentire spanspan ofof life,life, bothboth beforebefore andand afterafterbirth,birth, doesdoes notnot allowallow usus toto positposit eithereither aabirth,birth, doesdoes notnot allowallow usus toto positposit eithereither aachangechange inin naturenature oror aa gradationgradation inin moralmoralvalue,value, sincesince itit possessespossesses fullfullanthropologicalanthropological andand ethicalethical statusstatus.. TheThehumanhuman embryoembryo has,has, therefore,therefore, fromfrom thetheveryvery beginning,beginning, thethe dignitydignity properproper toto aapersonperson..

DignitasDignitas personaepersonae 55

AtAt everyevery stagestage ofof hishisexistence,existence, man,man,createdcreated inin thethe imageimageandand likenesslikeness ofof God,God,reflectsreflects thethe faceface ofofhishis OnlyOnly--begottenbegottenSonSon""

DignitasDignitas personaepersonae 8.8.

ThisThis boundlessboundless andand almostalmost incomprehensibleincomprehensiblelovelove ofof GodGod forfor thethe humanhuman beingbeing revealsreveals thethedegreedegree toto whichwhich thethe humanhuman personperson deservesdeservestoto bebe lovedloved inin himself,himself, independentlyindependently ofof anyanyotherother considerationconsideration –– intelligence,intelligence, beauty,beauty,health,health, youth,youth, integrity,integrity, andand soso forthforth..

InIn short,short, humanhuman lifelife isis alwaysalways aa good,good, forfor itit ‘‘isisInIn short,short, humanhuman lifelife isis alwaysalways aa good,good, forfor itit ‘‘isisaa manifestationmanifestation ofof GodGod inin thethe world,world, aa signsign ofofhishis presence,presence, aa tracetrace ofof hishisgloryglory’’ (E(Evangeliumvangelium vitaevitae 3434))

DignitasDignitas personaepersonae 8.8.

2. Connection 2. Connection betweenbetween the the transmissiontransmission ofofhumanhuman life and life and conjugalconjugal love and the love and the actsacts

expressingexpressing thisthis love.love.

TheThe originorigin ofof humanhuman lifelife hashas itsits

authenticauthentic contextcontext inin marriagemarriage andand inin thethe

family,family, wherewhere itit isis generatedgenerated throughthrough anan

actact whichwhich expressesexpresses thethe reciprocalreciprocal lovelove

betweenbetween aa manman andand aa womanwoman ""betweenbetween aa manman andand aa womanwoman ""

TheThe childchild toto bebe bornborn “must“must bebe thethe fruitfruit ofof

marriage”marriage”..

DignitasDignitas personaepersonae, 6, 6

� Human life is received and transmitted

in the context of conjugal love.

� The marital act is the medium (means)

through which conjugal love becomes through which conjugal love becomes

fruitful.

CONJUGAL

LOVE

MARITAL ACTS

MARITAL ACTS

CHILDCHILD

MARITAL ACTS

MARITAL ACTS

FromFrom thethe moralmoral pointpoint ofof viewview

procreationprocreation isis depriveddeprived ofof itsits properproper

perfectionperfection whenwhen itit isis notnot desireddesired asas thethe

fruitfruit ofof thethe conjugalconjugal act,act, thatthat isis toto saysay ofof

thethe specificspecific actact ofof thethe spouses'spouses' unionunion..thethe specificspecific actact ofof thethe spouses'spouses' unionunion..

DonumDonum vitae II, B, 4 avitae II, B, 4 a


New Problems Concerning New Problems Concerning ProcreationProcreation


New Problems Concerning New Problems Concerning ProcreationProcreationProcreationProcreationProcreationProcreation

Techniques Techniques for assisting fertilityfor assisting fertilityTechniques Techniques for assisting fertilityfor assisting fertility

TechniquesTechniques whichwhich assistassist procreationprocreation “are“are notnottoto bebe rejectedrejected onon thethe groundsgrounds thatthat theythey areareartificialartificial.. AsAs such,such, theythey bearbear witnesswitness toto thethepossibilitiespossibilities ofof thethe artart ofof medicinemedicine..

ButBut theythey mustmust bebe givengiven aa moralmoral evaluationevaluation ininreferencereference toto thethe dignitydignity ofof thethe humanhuman person,person,referencereference toto thethe dignitydignity ofof thethe humanhuman person,person,whowho isis calledcalled toto realizerealize hishis vocationvocation fromfromGodGod toto thethe giftgift ofof lovelove andand thethe giftgift ofof lifelife..


NewNew medicalmedical techniquestechniques mustmust respectrespect threethreefundamentalfundamental goodsgoods::

aa.. thethe rightright toto lifelife andand toto physicalphysical integrityintegrity ofof everyeveryhumanhuman beingbeing fromfrom conceptionconception toto naturalnatural deathdeath;;

bb.. thethe unityunity ofof marriagemarriage,, whichwhich meansmeans reciprocalreciprocalrespectrespect forfor thethe rightright withinwithin marriagemarriage toto becomebecome aarespectrespect forfor thethe rightright withinwithin marriagemarriage toto becomebecome aafatherfather oror mothermother onlyonly togethertogether withwith thethe otherother spousespouse;;

cc.. thethe specificallyspecifically humanhuman valuesvalues ofof sexualitysexuality whichwhichrequirerequire “that“that thethe procreationprocreation ofof aa humanhuman personperson bebebroughtbrought aboutabout asas thethe fruitfruit ofof thethe conjugalconjugal actact specificspecifictoto thethe lovelove betweenbetween spouses”spouses”..


The The criterioncriterion ofof adiuvatioadiuvatio naturaenaturaeThe The criterioncriterion ofof adiuvatioadiuvatio naturaenaturae

TheThe technicaltechnical meansmeans isis notnot aa substitutesubstituteforfor thethe conjugalconjugal actact butbut servesserves totofacilitatefacilitate andand toto helphelp soso thatthat thethe actactfacilitatefacilitate andand toto helphelp soso thatthat thethe actactattainsattains itsits naturalnatural purposepurpose..

DonumDonum VitaeVitae, II, B, 6 (, II, B, 6 (cfcf. . DignitasDignitas personaepersonae, n. 12)., n. 12).

MoralMoral conscienceconscience "does"does notnotnecessarilynecessarily proscribeproscribe thethe useuse ofofcertaincertain artificialartificial meansmeans destineddestined solelysolelyeithereither toto thethe facilitatingfacilitating ofof thethe naturalnaturalactact oror toto ensuringensuring thatthat thethe naturalnatural actactactact oror toto ensuringensuring thatthat thethe naturalnatural actactnormallynormally performedperformed achievesachieves itsitsproperproper end"end"..

PIUSPIUS XII,XII, ToTo thethe 44°° CongressCongress ofof CatholicCatholic DoctorsDoctors ,, 19491949

ARTIFICIALARTIFICIALINSEMINATIONINSEMINATIONARTIFICIALARTIFICIALINSEMINATIONINSEMINATION

GIFTGIFTGIFTGIFTB

IVFIVF--ETETIVFIVF--ETET

11

IntracytoplasmicIntracytoplasmicSpermSperm InjectionInjection

ICSIICSI

IntracytoplasmicIntracytoplasmicSpermSperm InjectionInjection

ICSIICSI

22

33 44 55

The Instruction gives not a specific

teaching on GIFT and simply repeats

the teaching of Donum vitae on

Artificial insemination.Artificial insemination.

The exclusion of in vitro fertilization

is confirmed included the more

recent technology of ICSI.

(Dignitas personae 17)

�� All techniques of All techniques of heterologousheterologous artificial artificial

fertilization are to be excluded (gametes fertilization are to be excluded (gametes

donors and surrogacy)donors and surrogacy)

�� Those techniques of homologous artificial Those techniques of homologous artificial

fertilization which substitute for the fertilization which substitute for the fertilization which substitute for the fertilization which substitute for the

conjugal act are excluded as well.conjugal act are excluded as well.

�� Techniques which representTechniques which represent an aid to the an aid to the

conjugal act to achieve fertilityconjugal act to achieve fertility are are

permittedpermitted

In vitroIn vitro fertilization fertilization and loss of embryosand loss of embryosIn vitroIn vitro fertilization fertilization and loss of embryosand loss of embryos

About a third of women who have recourse to About a third of women who have recourse to

artificial procreation succeed in having a baby.artificial procreation succeed in having a baby.

It should be recognized, however, that given the It should be recognized, however, that given the

proportion between the total number of embryos proportion between the total number of embryos

conceived and those eventually born, conceived and those eventually born, the number the number

of embryos sacrificed is extremely high. of embryos sacrificed is extremely high.

This unintentional loss of embryos is about the

80%. (cf. DignPer 14).80%. (cf. DignPer 14).

In many cases the destruction and loss of In many cases the destruction and loss of

embryos are foreseen and willed. Embryos embryos are foreseen and willed. Embryos

conceived conceived in vitroin vitro which have defects are directly which have defects are directly

discarded.discarded. (cf. DignPer 15).

The reduction of embryos The reduction of embryos The reduction of embryos The reduction of embryos

Some techniques used in artificial Some techniques used in artificial

procreation cause a significant increase in procreation cause a significant increase in

the frequency of multiple pregnancy.the frequency of multiple pregnancy. This This

situation gives rise in turn to the practice situation gives rise in turn to the practice

of soof so--called called embryo reductionembryo reduction, a , a

procedure in which embryos or fetuses in procedure in which embryos or fetuses in procedure in which embryos or fetuses in procedure in which embryos or fetuses in

the womb are directly exterminated.the womb are directly exterminated.

From the ethical point of view, From the ethical point of view, embryo embryo

reduction is an intentional abortion.reduction is an intentional abortion.

(cf Dignitas personae 21)

Freezing embryosFreezing embryosFreezing embryosFreezing embryos

* Cryopreservation is * Cryopreservation is incompatible with the incompatible with the

respect owed to human embryosrespect owed to human embryos; ;

* it presupposes their production * it presupposes their production in vitroin vitro; ;

* it exposes them to the serious risk of death * it exposes them to the serious risk of death

or harm; or harm;

* it deprives them at least temporarily of * it deprives them at least temporarily of * it deprives them at least temporarily of * it deprives them at least temporarily of

maternal reception and gestation;maternal reception and gestation;

* it places them in a situation in which they * it places them in a situation in which they

are susceptible to offense and manipulationare susceptible to offense and manipulation

WhatWhat toto do do withwith frozenfrozen embryosembryos??WhatWhat toto do do withwith frozenfrozen embryosembryos??

�� DoDo notnot conceiveconceive inin vitrovitro embryosembryos

�� DoDo notnot freezefreeze themthem

1.1. “Proposals“Proposals toto useuse thesethese embryosembryos forfor researchresearch oror forfor thethe

treatmenttreatment ofof diseasedisease areare obviouslyobviously unacceptable”unacceptable” ((DignitasDignitas

personaepersonae 1919))..personaepersonae 1919))..

2.2. “The“The proposalproposal thatthat thesethese embryosembryos couldcould bebe putput atat thethe

disposaldisposal ofof infertileinfertile couplescouples asas aa treatmenttreatment forfor infertilityinfertility isis

notnot ethicallyethically acceptableacceptable forfor thethe samesame reasonsreasons whichwhich makemake

artificialartificial heterologousheterologous procreationprocreation illicitillicit asas wellwell asas anyany formform

ofof surrogatesurrogate motherhoodmotherhood (ibid(ibid..))

It has also been proposed, solely in It has also been proposed, solely in order to allow human beings to be order to allow human beings to be born who are otherwise condemned born who are otherwise condemned to destruction, that there could be a to destruction, that there could be a form of form of “prenatal adoption”.“prenatal adoption”. This This

It has also been proposed, solely in It has also been proposed, solely in order to allow human beings to be order to allow human beings to be born who are otherwise condemned born who are otherwise condemned to destruction, that there could be a to destruction, that there could be a form of form of “prenatal adoption”.“prenatal adoption”. This This form of form of “prenatal adoption”.“prenatal adoption”. This This proposal, proposal, praiseworthy with regard to praiseworthy with regard to the intention of respecting and defending the intention of respecting and defending human lifehuman life, presents however various , presents however various problems.problems.

DignitasDignitas personae 19personae 19

form of form of “prenatal adoption”.“prenatal adoption”. This This proposal, proposal, praiseworthy with regard to praiseworthy with regard to the intention of respecting and defending the intention of respecting and defending human lifehuman life, presents however various , presents however various problems.problems.


This solution, suggested as an This solution, suggested as an extremaextrema ratio ratio to save to save embryosembryos abandoned to certain abandoned to certain death, has the merit of taking seriously the death, has the merit of taking seriously the value of the embryo's life, found in such value of the embryo's life, found in such jeopardy, and of courageously accepting the jeopardy, and of courageously accepting the challenge of cryopreservation. challenge of cryopreservation.

It seeks to check the evil effects of a It seeks to check the evil effects of a It seeks to check the evil effects of a It seeks to check the evil effects of a disordered situation; disordered situation; however, the however, the disordered situation itself within which ethical disordered situation itself within which ethical reason must enter to function in this case, reason must enter to function in this case, profoundly colors the attempts at a solution.profoundly colors the attempts at a solution.

FAGGIONI M. ,"L'Osservatore Romano", 22-23 July1996, 6.

The freezing The freezing of of oocytesoocytesThe freezing The freezing of of oocytesoocytesof of oocytesoocytesof of oocytesoocytes

CryopreservationCryopreservation ofof oocytesoocytes forfor thethe

purposepurpose ofof beingbeing usedused inin artificialartificial

procreationprocreation isis toto bebe consideredconsidered

morallymorally unacceptableunacceptable..


PreimplantationPreimplantation diagnosisdiagnosisPreimplantationPreimplantation diagnosisdiagnosis

PreimplantationPreimplantation diagnosis … is diagnosis … is directed toward the qualitative selection directed toward the qualitative selection and consequent destruction of embryos, and consequent destruction of embryos, which constitutes an act of abortion.which constitutes an act of abortion.

PreimplantationPreimplantation diagnosis … is diagnosis … is directed toward the qualitative selection directed toward the qualitative selection and consequent destruction of embryos, and consequent destruction of embryos, which constitutes an act of abortion.which constitutes an act of abortion.which constitutes an act of abortion.which constitutes an act of abortion.

PreimplantationPreimplantation diagnosis is therefore diagnosis is therefore the expression of a eugenic mentality the expression of a eugenic mentality

which constitutes an act of abortion.which constitutes an act of abortion.

PreimplantationPreimplantation diagnosis is therefore diagnosis is therefore the expression of a eugenic mentality the expression of a eugenic mentality

New forms of interception New forms of interception and and contragestationcontragestationNew forms of interception New forms of interception and and contragestationcontragestation

�� interceptive methods interceptive methods interfere with the interfere with the

embryo before implantation, if conception embryo before implantation, if conception

has taken place.has taken place.

�� contragestativecontragestative methods cause the methods cause the

elimination of the embryo once implantedelimination of the embryo once implanted..

IUDIUDIUDIUD

The The morningmorning afterafter pillpillThe The morningmorning afterafter pillpill

HowHow myfepristonemyfepristoneworksworks??HowHow myfepristonemyfepristoneworksworks??

AbortionAbortion isis “the“the deliberatedeliberate andand directdirectkilling,killing, byby whateverwhatever meansmeans itit isis carriedcarriedout,out, ofof aa humanhuman beingbeing inin thethe initialinitialphasephase ofof hishis oror herher existence,existence, extendingextendingfromfrom conceptionconception toto birth”birth”..

Therefore,Therefore, thethe useuse ofof meansmeans ofofinterceptioninterception andand contragestationcontragestation fallfallwithinwithin thethe sinsin ofof abortionabortion andand arearegravelygravely immoralimmoral..



New Treatments which New Treatments which Involve the Manipulation of Involve the Manipulation of the Embryo or the Human the Embryo or the Human


New Treatments which New Treatments which Involve the Manipulation of Involve the Manipulation of the Embryo or the Human the Embryo or the Human the Embryo or the Human the Embryo or the Human Genetic PatrimonyGenetic Patrimonythe Embryo or the Human the Embryo or the Human Genetic PatrimonyGenetic Patrimony

Gene Gene therapytherapy

ProceduresProcedures usedused onon somaticsomatic cellscells forfor

strictlystrictly therapeutictherapeutic purposespurposes areare inin

principleprinciple morallymorally licitlicit..

SuchSuch actionsactions seekseek toto restorerestore thethe normalnormal

geneticgenetic configurationconfiguration ofof thethe patientpatient oror toto

countercounter damagedamage causedcaused byby geneticgeneticcountercounter damagedamage causedcaused byby geneticgenetic

anomaliesanomalies oror thosethose relatedrelated toto otherother

pathologiespathologies..


The The questionquestion ofof geneticgenetic

enhancementenhancement

TranshumanismTranshumanism

11.. SomeSome ofof thesethese proposalsproposals exhibitexhibit aa

certaincertain dissatisfactiondissatisfaction oror eveneven rejectionrejection ofof

thethe valuevalue ofof thethe humanhuman beingbeing asas aa finitefinite

creaturecreature andand personperson..

22.. SuchSuch manipulationmanipulation wouldwould promotepromote aa

eugeniceugenic mentalitymentality andand implyimply anan unjustunjusteugeniceugenic mentalitymentality andand implyimply anan unjustunjust

dominationdomination ofof manman overover manman..

33.. InIn thethe attemptattempt toto createcreate aa newnew typetype ofof

humanhuman beingbeing oneone cancan recognizerecognize anan

ideologicalideological elementelement inin whichwhich manman triestries toto

taketake thethe placeplace ofof hishis CreatorCreator..


HumanHumanHumanHumanHumanHumancloningcloningHumanHumancloningcloning

Cloning is proposed for two basic purposes: Cloning is proposed for two basic purposes:

reproductionreproduction, that is, in order to obtain the , that is, in order to obtain the

birth of a baby, and birth of a baby, and medical therapymedical therapy or or

research.research.

Human cloning is intrinsically illicit " it seeks Human cloning is intrinsically illicit " it seeks

to to give rise to a new human being without a give rise to a new human being without a

connection to the act of reciprocal selfconnection to the act of reciprocal self--giving giving connection to the act of reciprocal selfconnection to the act of reciprocal self--giving giving

between the spousesbetween the spouses and, more radically, and, more radically,

without any link to sexuality.without any link to sexuality. This leads to This leads to

manipulation and abuses gravely injurious to manipulation and abuses gravely injurious to

human dignity. human dignity.


FromFrom thethe ethicalethical pointpoint ofof view,view, soso--calledcalled

therapeutictherapeutic cloningcloning isis eveneven moremore

seriousserious.. ToTo createcreate embryosembryos withwith thethe

intentionintention ofof destroyingdestroying them,them, eveneven withwith thethe

intentionintention ofof helpinghelping thethe sick,sick, isis completelycompletely

incompatibleincompatible withwith humanhuman dignity,dignity, becausebecauseincompatibleincompatible withwith humanhuman dignity,dignity, becausebecause

itit makesmakes thethe existenceexistence ofof aa humanhuman beingbeing atat

thethe embryonicembryonic stagestage nothingnothing moremore thanthan aa

meansmeans toto bebe usedused andand destroyeddestroyed.. ItIt isis

gravelygravely immoralimmoral toto sacrificesacrifice aa humanhuman lifelife

forfor therapeutictherapeutic endsends..

DigDignitasnitas personaepersonae,, 3030

Attempts at hybridizationAttempts at hybridizationAttempts at hybridizationAttempts at hybridization

FromFrom thethe ethicalethical standpoint,standpoint, suchsuchproceduresprocedures representrepresent anan offenseoffenseagainstagainst thethe dignitydignity ofof humanhumanbeingsbeings onon accountaccount ofof thetheadmixtureadmixture ofof humanhuman andand animalanimalgeneticgenetic elementselements capablecapable ofofgeneticgenetic elementselements capablecapable ofofdisruptingdisrupting thethe specificspecific identityidentity ofofmanman..


StemStem cellscellsStemStem cellscellsStemStem cellscellsStemStem cellscells

SourcesSources ofof stemstem cellscellsSourcesSources ofof stemstem cellscells

LicitLicit sourcessources ofof stemstem cellscells((DignitasDignitas personaepersonae, n. 32), n. 32)

LicitLicit sourcessources ofof stemstem cellscells((DignitasDignitas personaepersonae, n. 32), n. 32)

�� an adult organism (e. g. bone marrow) an adult organism (e. g. bone marrow)

�� the blood of the umbilical cord at the time the blood of the umbilical cord at the time of birthof birthof birthof birth

�� fetuses who have died of natural causesfetuses who have died of natural causes

�� We can add: induced We can add: induced pluripotentpluripotent stem stem cells or cells or iPSCiPSC (cf. footnote 53)(cf. footnote 53)

�� TheThe useuse ofof stemstem cellscells fromfrom procuredprocuredabortionsabortions presentspresents seriousserious problemsproblems fromfromthethe standpointstandpoint ofof cooperationcooperation inin evilevil andandscandalscandal.scandalscandal.

TheThe obtainingobtaining ofof stemstem cellscells fromfromaa livingliving humanhuman embryoembryo ""causescauses thethe deathdeath ofof thethe embryoembryoandand isis consequentlyconsequently gravelygravelyandand isis consequentlyconsequently gravelygravelyillicitillicit..


The use of human “biological The use of human “biological material” of illicit originmaterial” of illicit originThe use of human “biological The use of human “biological material” of illicit originmaterial” of illicit origin

�� ForFor scientificscientific researchresearch andand forfor thetheproductionproduction ofof vaccinesvaccines oror otherother products,products,cellcell lineslines areare atat timestimes usedused whichwhich areare thetheresultresult ofof anan illicitillicit interventionintervention againstagainst thethelifelife (e(e.. gg.. abortion)abortion)..

�Moral criteria�Moral criteria

– Independence from evil

–Absence of scandal

�� WhenWhen thethe illicitillicit actionaction isis endorsedendorsed byby thethe lawslawswhichwhich regulateregulate healthcarehealthcare andand scientificscientificresearch,research, itit isis necessarynecessary toto distancedistance oneselfoneselffromfrom thethe evilevil aspectsaspects ofof thatthat systemsystem inin orderordernotnot toto givegive thethe impressionimpression ofof aa certaincertaintolerationtoleration oror tacittacit acceptanceacceptance ofof actionsactions whichwhichareare gravelygravely unjustunjust

� The duty to refuse tu use such biological materialspringssprings fromfrom thethe necessitynecessity toto removeremove oneself,oneself,withinwithin thethe areaarea ofof one’sone’s ownown research,research, fromfrom aagravelygravely unjustunjust legallegal situationsituation andand toto affirmaffirmwithwith clarityclarity thethe valuevalue ofof humanhuman lifelife..

DignitasDignitas personae,personae, 3535

�� GraveGrave reasonsreasons maymay bebe morallymorallyproportionateproportionate toto justifyjustify thethe useuse ofofsuchsuch “biological“biological material”material” (e(e.. gg.. usingusingsuchsuch aa vaccinevaccine forfor children)children) whilewhilekeepingkeeping inin mindmind thatthat everyoneeveryone hashasthethe dutyduty toto makemake knownknown theirtheirthethe dutyduty toto makemake knownknown theirtheirdisagreementdisagreement andand toto askask thatthat theirtheirhealthcarehealthcare systemsystem makemake otherother typestypesofof vaccinesvaccines availableavailable.

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION

Yes Yes toto lifelife

BehindBehind everyevery “no”“no” inin thethe difficultdifficult tasktask ofof

discerningdiscerning betweenbetween goodgood andand evil,evil, therethere

shinesshines aa greatgreat “yes”“yes” toto thethe recognitionrecognition ofof

thethe dignitydignity andand inalienableinalienable valuevalue ofofthethe dignitydignity andand inalienableinalienable valuevalue ofof

everyevery singlesingle andand uniqueunique humanhuman beingbeing

calledcalled intointo existenceexistence..


““ToTo usus a a childchild isisbornborn””

““ToTo usus a a childchild isisbornborn””bornborn””

((IsIs 9:5)9:5)

bornborn””

((IsIs 9:5)9:5)

thethe realityreality ofof thethe humanhuman beingbeing forfor thethe entireentire

spanspan ofof life,life, bothboth beforebefore andand afterafter birth,birth, doesdoes

notnot allowallow usus toto positposit eithereither aa changechange inin naturenature

oror aa gradationgradation inin moralmoral value,value, sincesince itit

possessespossesses fullfull anthropologicalanthropological andand ethicalethicalpossessespossesses fullfull anthropologicalanthropological andand ethicalethical

statusstatus.. TheThe humanhuman embryoembryo has,has, therefore,therefore,

fromfrom thethe veryvery beginning,beginning, thethe dignitydignity properproper toto

aa personperson..

DignitasDignitas PersonaePersonae, n. 5, n. 5

BiomedicalBiomedical progress and progress and ethicsethicsBiomedicalBiomedical progress and progress and ethicsethics

TheThe Church'sChurch's MagisteriumMagisterium doesdoes notnot interveneintervene onon thethebasisbasis ofof aa particularparticular competencecompetence inin thethe areaarea ofof thetheexperimentalexperimental sciencessciences;; butbut havinghaving takentaken accountaccount ofof thethedatadata ofof researchresearch andand technology,technology, itit intendsintends toto putput forward,forward,byby virtuevirtue ofof itsits evangelicalevangelical missionmission andand apostolicapostolic duty,duty, thethemoralmoral teachingteaching correspondingcorresponding toto thethe dignitydignity ofof thethe personpersonmoralmoral teachingteaching correspondingcorresponding toto thethe dignitydignity ofof thethe personpersonandand toto hishis oror herher integralintegral vocationvocation.. ItIt intendsintends toto dodo soso bybyexpoundingexpounding thethe criteriacriteria ofof moralmoral judgmentjudgment asas regardsregards thetheapplicationsapplications ofof scientificscientific researchresearch andand technology,technology,especiallyespecially inin relationrelation toto humanhuman lifelife andand itsits beginningsbeginnings..TheseThese criteriacriteria areare thethe respect,respect, defencedefence andand promotionpromotion ofofman,man, hishis "primary"primary andand fundamentalfundamental right"right" toto life,(life,(44)) hishisdignitydignity asas aa personperson whowho isis endowedendowed withwith aa spiritualspiritual soulsoulandand withwith moralmoral responsibilityresponsibility ((55)) andand whowho isis calledcalled totobeatificbeatific communioncommunion withwith GodGod..

DonumDonum VitaeVitae,, IntrIntr..,, 11..

ByBy virtuevirtue ofof thethe simplesimple factfact ofof existing,existing,everyevery humanhuman beingbeing mustmust bebe fullyfullyrespectedrespected.. TheThe introductionintroduction ofofdiscriminationdiscrimination withwith regardregard toto humanhumandignitydignity basedbased onon biological,biological, psychological,psychological,oror educationaleducational development,development, oror basedbased ononhealthhealth--relatedrelated criteria,criteria, mustmust bebe excludedexcluded..healthhealth--relatedrelated criteria,criteria, mustmust bebe excludedexcluded..

DignitasDignitas personaepersonae 88

PRINCIPIO PRINCIPIO

FONDAMENTALEFONDAMENTALE

Ad ogni essere umano, Ad ogni essere umano,

dal concepimento dal concepimento

alla morte naturale, alla morte naturale,

va riconosciuta va riconosciuta

la dignità di persona.la dignità di persona.

God's love does not differentiate between the God's love does not differentiate between the

newly conceived infant still in his or her newly conceived infant still in his or her

mother's womb and the child or young mother's womb and the child or young

person, or the adult and the elderly person. person, or the adult and the elderly person. person, or the adult and the elderly person. person, or the adult and the elderly person.

God does not distinguish between them God does not distinguish between them

because he sees an impression of his own because he sees an impression of his own

image and likeness (image and likeness (GnGn 1: 26) in each one. 1: 26) in each one.

Benedict XVI, 27 Benedict XVI, 27 febfeb 2006 To Pont. Ac. Life2006 To Pont. Ac. Life

The intellectual and cultural movement

that affirms the possibility and

desirability of fundamentally improving

the human condition through applied

reason, especially by developing andreason, especially by developing and

making widely available technologies to

eliminate aging and greatly enhance

human intellectual, physical, and

psychological capacities.

Nick Bostrom, 2003Nick Bostrom, 2003

“dignitaspersonae ” explained - matercare international · “dignitaspersonae ” explained...

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