La science est au cœur des controverses de notre époque. On l’évoque souvent pour avoir le dernier mot dans une discussion. Trois sujets proposés par des lecteurs touchent des points névralgiques, pourrait-on dire, que j’aurai pour tâche de sonder :
(1) «In search for proofs / En quête de preuves» (semaine du 21 février)
(2) «La science peut-elle expliquer les miracles?» (semaine du 28 février)
(3) Que penser du clonage humain, des techniques de fertilité et des modifications génétiques? (semaine du 21 mars)
Semaine du 21 mars: Que penser du clonage humain, des techniques de fertilité et des modifications génétiques?
Ce sujet a été proposé par AMDG (Jeudi 24 février – 20:45)
« Please spend more time arguing the christian perspective on human cloning, fertilization techniques, genetic modifications ».
Je fais un premier commentaire ci-dessous en anglais, mais les échanges peuvent se poursuivre en français ou en anglais, à votre convenance.
@AMDG
Cloning, fertilization techniques, genetic engineering represent three biomedical science techniques at the forefront of their field, at the tenuous frontier between life and death. They embody the culmination of tremendous scientific achievements in medical science, yet at the same time they have raised numerous extremely serious ethical issues, with which religious institutions, governments, and medical establishments are struggling. Today’s society is at loss with these scientific and moral issues, yet these scientific “advancements” are offered as the epitome of progress.
Where is one to find relevant guidance? Well probably the more vocal, and the more articulate group on these issues are Christians, and maybe in particular Catholics. One will find timely and appropriate advice in the Pontifical Academy for Life’s concluding communiqué on “The Ethics of Biomedical Research. For A Christian Vision”. What follows is a brief summary of thoughts based on that document, and from my own reflection.
Without reference to ethics, science and technology can be used either to kill or to save human lives, to manipulate or to promote, to destroy or to build. It is therefore necessary to apply responsible behavior at all costs for scientific research to be addressed toward the true common good, a good that goes well beyond any selfish private interest. It needs to reach beyond the geographical and cultural boundaries of nations and to keep one’s goal directed toward the good of future generations.
So, in general, one should bear in mind that, although the human individual at the embryonic stage deserves the full respect that is due to every human person, embryos are not subjects who can speak for themselves. Therefore, any experimentation involving human embryos that does not have the goal of obtaining direct benefits for his/her own health cannot be considered morally acceptable.
Although mankind was entrusted by God with the responsibility of ruling over creation, we cannot behave as if were gods. The knowledge and power acquired through scientific research must abide to sound moral principles. Science cannot trespass over rights that are God’s alone as Creator.
Commentaire retiré pour cause de violation de droits d’auteur d’un tiers.
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I love reading these articles because they’re short but inftormaive.