By Gudrun Schultz
VATICAN CITY, February 7, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The Pontifical Academy for Life will gather February 27-28 to discuss the issues surrounding the human embryo, in a congress on the theme “The Human Embryo Before Implantation: Scientific Update and Bioethical Considerations.”
It is not clear if the Academy will address the fate of already-created human embryos that are currently held in storage. While the Vatican has made it clear that the creation of human embryos apart from natural conception is morally evil and unacceptable, there has been no official statement on the issue of what to do with those already in existence.
The suggestion that such tiny human babies should be adopted by mothers willing to bear them to term and raise them as their children was met with enthusiasm, and many women have stepped forward to volunteer.
An article in the Vatican newsletter L’Osservatore Romano, almost ten years ago, indicated support for the idea as “taking seriously the value of the embryo’s life.” Many have taken the article as Vatican approval for embryonic adoption. However, no definitive statement has been made on the issue.
As well, the Vatican has not officially addressed the moral acceptability of allowing the embryos to die naturally.
See related LifeSiteNews coverage:
Spanish Bishops Sanction Use of Embryo Cells from Frozen Embryos for Research
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2003/jul/03073005.html