Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis 
W E L C O M E T O T H E C O M M I S S I O N O N B I O M E D I C A L E T H I C S W E B S I TE
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BACKGROUND |
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IMPORTANT TOPICS |
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES |
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Beginning of Life Issues
On this page:
Instruction on Respect for Human Life in Its Origin and on the Dignity of Procreation - Donum Vitae
"The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has been approached by various Episcopal Conferences or individual Bishops, by theologians, doctors and scientists, concerning biomedical techniques which make it possible to intervene in the initial phase of the life of a human being and in the very processes of procreation and their conformity with the principles of Catholic morality. The present Instruction, which is the result of wide consultation and in particular of a careful evaluation of the declarations made by Episcopates, does not intend to repeat all the Church's teaching on the dignity of human life as it originates and on procreation, but to offer, in the light of the previous teaching of the Magisterium, some specific replies to the main questions being asked in this regard. The exposition is arranged as follows: an introduction will recall the fundamental principles, of an anthropological and moral character, which are necessary for a proper evaluation of the problems and for working out replies to those questions; the first part will have as its subject respect for the human being from the first moment of his or her existence; the second part will deal with the moral questions raised by technical interventions on human procreation; the third part will offer some orientations on the relationships between moral law and civil law in terms of the respect due to human embryos and foetuses* and as regards the legitimacy of techniques of artificial procreation."
- Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith
February 22, 1987, the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter the Apostle
I. Cloning is defined as the artificial asexual and agamic (using one instead of two gamedes) reproduction meant to produce individuals biologically identical to the adult which donated the nuclear genetic inheritance.
Cloning is performed by removing or inactivating the nucleus of an unfertilized egg and replacing it with the nucleus from an animal's body cell. This nucleus, containing the animal's full genetic makeup, is stimulated to interact with the egg, and a new embryo develops that is genetically identical to the animal providing the body cell.
Scientists say the technique can be useful for animal breeding and medical research — and the Catholic Church does not object, as long as the norms against mistreating animals in research are respected and as long as it is not used for human cloning.
Human cloning
Cloning of a human person could only replicate the person biologically. The clone would not be identical psychologically or spiritually. Only God can create a soul, the essential constituent of a human person.
The ethical problems with cloning are many. Fundamentally cloning treats human beings as objects not as persons. As creatures made in God’s image and likeness and endowed with inalienable dignity, this is never acceptable.
- Cloning turns the human reproduction into industrial production.
- Women are radically exploited and reduced to a few of their purely biological functions (providing ova and a womb).
- The value of man and woman descends to the sum of their biological qualities
Some have proposed that the process be stopped just before implanting the new life in the womb. This would mean creating a human person merely to harvest their parts or for experimentation and then destroying him or her.
Also, attempts or hypotheses for obtaining a human being without any connection with sexuality through "twin fission” or parthenogenesis are to be considered contrary to the moral law, since they are in opposition to the dignity both of human procreation and of the conjugal union.
II. Reference to the Catechism of the Catholic Church on Respect for the person and scientific research
2292 Scientific, medical, or psychological experiments on human individuals or groups can contribute to healing the sick and the advancement of public health.
2293 Basic scientific research, as well as applied research, is a significant expression of man's dominion over creation. Science and technology are precious resources when placed at the service of man and promote his integral development for the benefit of all. By themselves however they cannot disclose the meaning of existence and of human progress. Science and technology are ordered to man, from whom they take their origin and development; hence they find in the person and in his moral values both evidence of their purpose and awareness of their limits.
2294 It is an illusion to claim moral neutrality in scientific research and its applications. On the other hand, guiding principles cannot be inferred from simple technical efficiency, or from the usefulness accruing to some at the expense of others or, even worse, from prevailing ideologies. Science and technology by their very nature require unconditional respect for fundamental moral criteria. They must be at the service of the human person, of his inalienable rights, of his true and integral good, in conformity with the plan and the will of God.
2295 Research or experimentation on the human being cannot legitimate acts that are in themselves contrary to the dignity of persons and to the moral law. the subjects' potential consent does not justify such acts. Experimentation on human beings is not morally legitimate if it exposes the subject's life or physical and psychological integrity to disproportionate or avoidable risks. Experimentation on human beings does not conform to the dignity of the person if it takes place without the informed consent of the subject or those who legitimately speak for him.
III. Links
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Reflections on Cloning, Pontifical Academy for Life, 1997
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United States Conference of Catholic Bishops -- Cloning and Cloning Legislation
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The Views of the Holy See on Human Cloning, Statement of the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations, 2002
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Intervention by the Holy See Delegation at the United Nations International Convention Against the Reproductive Cloning of Human Beings, September 30, 2003
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Intervention by the Holy See Delegation at the Special Committee of the 57th General Assembly of the United Nations on Human Embryonic Cloning, September 23, 2002
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I. Stem cells are “blank” cells capable of becoming a different kind of cell – skin, muscle, nerve, etc. They are especially valuable because they can be used to replace or heal other damaged cells.
Two Types of Stem Cells
It is very important to distinguish between “adult type” and “embryonic type” stem cells.
Adult Stem Cells
Adult stem cells have been used successfully for many years to help in patients’ healing process. They are taken without doing harm to the donor and have many advantages over embryonic. There are some disadvantages as well.
Embryonic Stem Cells
Embryonic stem cells are obtained through the destruction of human embryos which are approximately 3-5 days old. There is currently no way to remove a stem cell from an embryo with out killing it. Scientists are currently experimenting with ways to obtain stem cells from embryos without killing it, but this is high unethical as it involves life threatening experiments (to say the least) on human beings.
In summary, embryonic stem-cell research is morally inadmissible because it involves the destruction of human embryos. Adult stem cell research is morally admissible as long as its use follows the general moral principles.
II. Reference to the Catechism of the Catholic Church on Respect for the person and scientific research
2292 Scientific, medical, or psychological experiments on human individuals or groups can contribute to healing the sick and the advancement of public health.
2293 Basic scientific research, as well as applied research, is a significant expression of man's dominion over creation. Science and technology are precious resources when placed at the service of man and promote his integral development for the benefit of all. By themselves however they cannot disclose the meaning of existence and of human progress. Science and technology are ordered to man, from whom they take their origin and development; hence they find in the person and in his moral values both evidence of their purpose and awareness of their limits.
2294 It is an illusion to claim moral neutrality in scientific research and its applications. On the other hand, guiding principles cannot be inferred from simple technical efficiency, or from the usefulness accruing to some at the expense of others or, even worse, from prevailing ideologies. Science and technology by their very nature require unconditional respect for fundamental moral criteria. They must be at the service of the human person, of his inalienable rights, of his true and integral good, in conformity with the plan and the will of God.
2295 Research or experimentation on the human being cannot legitimate acts that are in themselves contrary to the dignity of persons and to the moral law. the subjects' potential consent does not justify such acts. Experimentation on human beings is not morally legitimate if it exposes the subject's life or physical and psychological integrity to disproportionate or avoidable risks. Experimentation on human beings does not conform to the dignity of the person if it takes place without the informed consent of the subject or those who legitimately speak for him.
III. Stem Cells In the News
IV. Links
ARCHDIOCESE OF ST. PAUL & MINNEAP0LIS
328 WEST KELLOGG BLVD. • SAINT PAUL, MN 55102