Pope Warns Against Seductive Powers of Science

Pope Benedict addressed members of the Vatican department of doctrinal matters Thursday, warning that practices such as freezing embryos, suppression of embryos in multiple pregnancies, embryonic stem cell research, and the prospect of human cloning and artificial insemination outside the body had "shattered the barriers meant to protect human dignity,” according to a Reuters report.

Benedict said that although the Church was not against scientific progress, it had a duty to defend the "great values at stake" in the field of bioethics. This includes total respect for the human being as a person "from conception until natural death," and respect for the natural transmission of life through sexual intercourse.

Benedict had led the department of doctrinal matter for years before his election in 2005.  U.S. Cardinal William Levada succeeded him.  

Thursday’s speech was the latest in a series in which the Pope has said scientific progress should not be accepted uncritically.

"When human beings in the weakest and most defenseless state of their existence are selected, abandoned, killed or used as pure ‘biological material,’ how can one deny that they are being treated not as ‘someone’ but as ‘something,’" he said.

In a separate speech to the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, the Pope said such practices "questioned the very concept of the dignity of man.”  He added that the media had generated extensive public interest in these practices and therefore made it even more essential for the Church to take a stand.

Cardinal Levada said his department is considering the possibility of preparing a new Vatican document on bioethical issues.

While embryonic stem cell research involves the destruction of embryos, researchers hope it will reshape medicine and provide regenerative treatments for injuries and diseases such as cancer, heart disease and HIV.  Last year scientists reported they had achieved a breakthrough by “tricking” normal human skin cells into behaving like embryonic stem cells.

The Pope said the Church "appreciates and encourages" research on stem cells that come from other parts of the body and do not involve the destruction of embryos.

However, the Pope was dismissive of critics who say the Church is an obstacle to scientific progress, saying growing concern about cloning and other practices showed the Church was right in its objection to these techniques.   

He warned against the "seductive" powers of science, saying it was important that science did not become the sole criteria for goodness.

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