Pope Encourages Authentic Progressive Research Which Respects Right to Life

VATICAN, December 4, 2003 (LifeSiteNews.com) – In his message for the upcoming World Day of the Sick, Pope John Paul II speaks positively of the advances in science regarding “the scientific knowledge of life, the fundamental gift of God, of which we are the stewards.”  He cautioned though that “Life is to be welcomed, respected and protected from its beginning to its natural end. The family itself, the cradle of every nascent life, is nourished by life.”  Of research on genetics the Pope said, “One can only encourage every authentic, progressive step in this area of research, as long as one respects the rights and the dignity of the human person from the moment of conception/fertilization.”  He taught that “No one, in fact, can assume the power to destroy or to manipulate the life of a human being indiscriminately.”  The Pope said it was the “duty” of pastoral workers in the health field to “sensitize those who work in this important sector, such that they feel inspired to act always in favour of life.”  See the Pope’s full message (in Italian):  https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/messages/sick/documents/hf_jp-ii_mes_20031203_world-day-of-the-sick-2004_it.html