Pope Benedict XVI met with participants of the International Conference “Adult
Stem Cells: Science and the Future of Man and Culture”, sponsored by the Pontifical
Council for Culture. In his address, the Holy Father spoke about the “truly remarkable
contributions” science can make to promoting and safeguarding human dignity. At the
same time, he warned that scientists must be attentive to ethical concerns in pursuing
their research, so that the inviolable dignity of each human being is never compromised.
Bellow is the full text of the Holy Father's remarks: Dear Brother
Bishops, Your Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Dear Friends, I wish to
thank Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, President of the Pontifical Council for Culture,
for his kind words and for promoting this International Conference on Adult Stem
Cells: Science and the Future of Man and Culture. I would also like to thank
Archbishop Zygmunt Zimowski, President of the Pontifical Council for Pastoral Care
of Health Workers, and Bishop Ignacio Carrasco de Paula, President of the Pontifical
Academy for Life for their contribution to this particular endeavour. A special word
of gratitude goes to the many benefactors whose support has made this event possible.
In this regard, I would like to express the Holy See’s appreciation of all the work
that is done, by various institutions, to promote cultural and formative initiatives
aimed at supporting top-level scientific research on adult stem cells and exploring
the cultural, ethical and anthropological implications of their use. Scientific
research provides a unique opportunity to explore the wonder of the universe, the
complexity of nature and the distinctive beauty of life, including human life. But
since human beings are endowed with immortal souls and are created in the image and
likeness of God, there are dimensions of human existence that lie beyond the limits
of what the natural sciences are competent to determine. If these limits are transgressed,
there is a serious risk that the unique dignity and inviolability of human life could
be subordinated to purely utilitarian considerations. But if instead these limits
are duly respected, science can make a truly remarkable contribution to promoting
and safeguarding the dignity of man: indeed herein lies its true utility. Man, the
agent of scientific research, will sometimes, in his biological nature, form the object
of that research. Nevertheless, his transcendent dignity entitles him always to remain
the ultimate beneficiary of scientific research and never to be reduced to its instrument.
In this sense, the potential benefits of adult stem cell research are very considerable,
since it opens up possibilities for healing chronic degenerative illnesses by repairing
damaged tissue and restoring its capacity for regeneration. The improvement that
such therapies promise would constitute a significant step forward in medical science,
bringing fresh hope to sufferers and their families alike. For this reason, the Church
naturally offers her encouragement to those who are engaged in conducting and supporting
research of this kind, always with the proviso that it be carried out with due regard
for the integral good of the human person and the common good of society. This
proviso is most important. The pragmatic mentality that so often influences decision-making
in the world today is all too ready to sanction whatever means are available in order
to attain the desired end, despite ample evidence of the disastrous consequences of
such thinking. When the end in view is one so eminently desirable as the discovery
of a cure for degenerative illnesses, it is tempting for scientists and policy-makers
to brush aside ethical objections and to press ahead with whatever research seems
to offer the prospect of a breakthrough. Those who advocate research on embryonic
stem cells in the hope of achieving such a result make the grave mistake of denying
the inalienable right to life of all human beings from the moment of conception to
natural death. The destruction of even one human life can never be justified in terms
of the benefit that it might conceivably bring to another. Yet, in general, no such
ethical problems arise when stem cells are taken from the tissues of an adult organism,
from the blood of the umbilical cord at the moment of birth, or from fetuses who have
died of natural causes (cf. Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Instruction
Dignitas Personae, 32). It follows that dialogue between science and ethics
is of the greatest importance in order to ensure that medical advances are never made
at unacceptable human cost. The Church contributes to this dialogue by helping to
form consciences in accordance with right reason and in the light of revealed truth.
In so doing she seeks, not to impede scientific progress, but on the contrary to guide
it in a direction that is truly fruitful and beneficial to humanity. Indeed, it is
her conviction that everything human, including scientific research, “is not only
received and respected by faith, but is also purified, elevated and perfected”
(ibid., 7). In this way science can be helped to serve the common good of
all mankind, with a particular regard for the weakest and most vulnerable. In
drawing attention to the needs of the defenceless, the Church thinks not only of the
unborn but also of those without easy access to expensive medical treatment. Illness
is no respecter of persons, and justice demands that every effort be made to place
the fruits of scientific research at the disposal of all who stand to benefit from
them, irrespective of their means. In addition to purely ethical considerations,
then, there are issues of a social, economic and political nature that need to be
addressed in order to ensure that advances in medical science go hand in hand with
just and equitable provision of health-care services. Here the Church is able to
offer concrete assistance through her extensive health-care apostolate, active in
so many countries across the globe and directed with particular solicitude to the
needs of the world’s poor. Dear friends, as I conclude my remarks, I want to assure
you of a special remembrance in prayer and I commend to the intercession of Mary,
Salus Infirmorum, all of you who work so hard to bring healing and hope to
those who suffer. I pray that your commitment to adult stem cell research will bring
great blessings for the future of man and genuine enrichment to his culture. To you,
your families and your collaborators, as well as to all the patients who stand to
benefit from your generous expertise and the results of your work, I gladly impart
my Apostolic Blessing. Thank you very much! Listen