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Recognize embryo as human being, theologian urges
Rome, Jun. 06 (CWNews.com) - The theologian of the pontifical household has called for public recognition that an embryo is a human being.
Speaking to the daily newspaper *La Stampa *as Italian voters prepare for a national referendum on artificial reproduction, Cardinal Georges Cottier said: “The embryo is a human being in development.” He insisted that this fact should be recognized, saying, “I wish that people spoke the whole truth.”
Cardinal Cottier argued that the promise of in-vitro fertilization has been vastly overstated. The process is difficult, he observed; it can be painful particularly for the woman, and it is successful only in 20 percent of cases.
While he acknowledged that many couples keenly desire to have children, the Swiss cardinal suggested that the needs of the child should also be taken into account. He questioned the psychological effects of artificial reproduction on children, if they have questions about the identity of their parents. Cardinal Cottier joined a long list of prelates who have spoken out about the pending Italian referendum, in which voters will be asked to approve the elimination of restraints on artificial human reproduction. The Italian bishops’ conference has recommended that Catholic voters abstain from voting, since a vote against the referendum questions would affirm the existing law that allows in vitro fertilization. By refusing to vote, Catholics might also ensure the failure of the referendum effort, since if a majority of eligible voters does not participate in the ballot, the results are nullified.
Source : cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=37596
Rome, Jun. 06 (CWNews.com) - The theologian of the pontifical household has called for public recognition that an embryo is a human being.
Speaking to the daily newspaper *La Stampa *as Italian voters prepare for a national referendum on artificial reproduction, Cardinal Georges Cottier said: “The embryo is a human being in development.” He insisted that this fact should be recognized, saying, “I wish that people spoke the whole truth.”
Cardinal Cottier argued that the promise of in-vitro fertilization has been vastly overstated. The process is difficult, he observed; it can be painful particularly for the woman, and it is successful only in 20 percent of cases.
While he acknowledged that many couples keenly desire to have children, the Swiss cardinal suggested that the needs of the child should also be taken into account. He questioned the psychological effects of artificial reproduction on children, if they have questions about the identity of their parents. Cardinal Cottier joined a long list of prelates who have spoken out about the pending Italian referendum, in which voters will be asked to approve the elimination of restraints on artificial human reproduction. The Italian bishops’ conference has recommended that Catholic voters abstain from voting, since a vote against the referendum questions would affirm the existing law that allows in vitro fertilization. By refusing to vote, Catholics might also ensure the failure of the referendum effort, since if a majority of eligible voters does not participate in the ballot, the results are nullified.
Source : cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=37596