Benedict XVI recalled that while scientific advances in genetics have helped improve the diagnosis of diseases, they have also presented new challenges. Benedict XVI “It is necessary to reiterate that any discrimination carried out by any power against persons, populations or ethnic groups on the basis of real or presumed genetics factors is an attack against all humanity. He spoke to scientists, theologians and philosophers participating in an international congress on genetics in Rome organized by the Pontifical Academy for Life. For three days, experts from around the world studied “The New Frontiers of Genetics and the Risks of Eugenics.” The discussion focused on studying the practices of genetics that lead to considering that some unhealthy embryos are less useful than healthy ones and must be eliminated. Msgr. Rino Fisichella The word eugenics seemed to be a word that pertained to the past but in fact its still valid because an eugenic mentality is growing and perhaps the greatest dangers is that although the term is not used, the mentality that not all people have the same dignity is being assumed. The participants were especially alarmed by the selection of embryos during in vitro fertilization because it eliminates those who have genetic diseases like cystic fibrosis or Down syndrome. Msgr. Ignacio Carrasco The case of children with Down syndrome. Today those children practically are no longer born because they eliminate the problem of Down syndrome by

1 Comment for this entry

  • Vandal556 says:

    For the record… Eugenic practices that do not seek to limit others’ rights, but merely put human evolution in mankind’s hands, are not inherently ethical or unethical. Evolution will happen regardless; to accelerate and direct it for the sake of our species’ survival strikes me as being more ethical than to squander our scientific advancements as war kills, hunger starves, and disease ravages.

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