VATICAN CITY, OCT 12, 1999 (ZENIT).- Transgenic foods, genetic maps and sex

selection are just the tip of the iceberg that has sparked the debate on

the ethical repercussions of the use of biotechnology. Both scientists and

ethicians alike are trying to agree on the limits and use of this new

emerging field. At present, there is a clash between those who have

denounced the encouragement of alarmist views, devoid of scientific basis

and, those who stress the enormous advantages that can be gleaned from a

proper use of biotechnology.

To date, the Church has not pronounced itself explicitly on this matter.

Believers and non-believers ask a very serious question: what is the

Catholic moral position regarding genetic manipulation?

To answer this question, the Pontifical Academy for Life, an institution

created by John Paul II himself in 1994, has published two volumes, one on

the human genome and another on biotechnology -- both presented this

morning to the international press.

Scientific Progress 

According to one of the most prestigious European geneticists, Jesuit

Angelo Serra, Professor Emeritus of the Faculty of Medicine of the Sacred

Heart University in Rome, "research on the human genome began in 1989 and

after ten years we only know about 6% of this map that contains 3 billion

letters. 1,462 genes are known, on which genetic diseases depend, and 4,500

monogenetic illnesses have been identified, to which must be added all the

rest, such as tumors, which are poligenetic illnesses." Serra said that

"the progress of scientific knowledge is exceptional, although its

application is deficient. The 600 experiments of genetic engineering that

are currently underway on illnesses such as AIDS, cancer, monogenetic and

enzymatic sicknesses, to date have not given definitive results, as they

have not succeeded in curing the dysfunction of some genes that cause the

sicknesses."

New Medical Responsibility 

Serra denounced that "instead of making the medical and health personnel

more aware of their own responsibilities, this knowledge is heading "toward

moral shipwreck." By way of example he mentioned pre-natal diagnoses, which

"tend to eliminate the subject that could develop the sickness, instead of

curing it." He added that "there are real cases of eugenics that are

triumphing in the field of medicine."

Professor Serra was certain that "the progress in knowledge will bring

great benefits to mankind; consequently, science must not be incriminated."

Yet, he acknowledged that science "requires greater responsibility and

attention on the part of the medical corps and institutions, by respecting

the ethical limits that many would like to ignore."

Catastrophic Sensationalism 

Giuseppe Bertoni, professor at the Institute of Zootechnology of the Sacred

Heart University in Piacenza, criticized "the catastrophic sensationalism

with which the press reports on biotechnology," specifically, he rejected

the "idea of conceiving scientific progress as something that should be

feared."

"It's true that ethical limits must be respected, but above all the reality

of biotechnology must be known. Because of this I say: 'If you know

biotechnology, you don't fear it.' "

"To reject biotechnology because its patent is in the hands of

multinational corporations, is an ideological argument -- not a scientific

one. Perhaps what Rifkin says is true, that corporations have 40% of the

knowledge in this field, but it is also true that the public structures and

the smallest European enterprises are committed to this research and offer

guarantees that must not be ignored," Bertoni said.

Regarding animal cloning, Bertoni said that "it could help to resolve in a

final way the problem of species in the process of extinction. It is being

tried with the panda, and it could be applied to other species."

The Church's Position

Bishop Elio Sgreccia, vice-president of the Pontifical Academy for Life and

director of the Institute of Bioethics of the Sacred Heart University of

Rome, explained that "there are no specific indications from the

Magisterium of the Church on biotechnology. Because of this, I have stopped

all those who demand the condemnation of these products."

"The book, 'Animal and Vegetable Biotechnology: New Frontiers and New

Responsibilities,' is a contribution toward clarifying this question. We

give the ideological lines: research in the biotechnological field could

resolve enormous problems as, for example, the adaptation of agriculture to

arid land, thus conquering hunger. The biotechnological products must

contribute to man's wellbeing, giving guarantees in face of possible risks.

Therefore, what is needed is honesty. Once the proper health

characteristics of the product are guaranteed, it is right that the

consumer should know if it has been genetically modified."

Finally, Bishop Sgreccia confirmed that "the Pontifical Academy for Life

says no to the cloning of man in all its forms."

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