To three Cherubim and Seraphim

Concerns raised over 'three parent test tube baby' experiments

By: Claire Bergin
Independent Catholic News
Posted: Thursday, January 19, 2012 10:08 pm

http://www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=19682

News that babies with three biological parents could be a reality within three years using a new IVF technique, have been described as 'unethical' and 'macabre' by Catholic scientists and pro-life campaigners. The Wellcome Trust and Newcastle University have just announced a £5.8m package for further lab-based research aimed at assessing the safety of an experimental technique which involves transferring parents' DNA into a donor egg, meaning the resulting child would inherit a tiny fraction of their genetic coding from a third party. They say it could prevent genetic conditions affecting the heart, muscle or brain being passed on to children and future generations.

The Department of Health has ordered a public consultation on whether the technology should be moved from the lab to patients, which will be followed by a Commons debate on the ethics of the issue.

Anthony Ozimic, communications manager with the Society for the Unborn Child, commented: "These macabre experiments are both destructive and dangerous and therefore unethical. The vast majority of embryonic children created in the laboratory are killed because they do not meet the 'quality control' requirements dictated by scientists involved in such increasingly macabre experiments.

"It doesn't matter how an embryonic child is created, he or she is still an innocent member of the human family and therefore has the right to life.

“Scientists should abandon the spurious field of destructive embryo experimentation and instead promote the ethical alternative of adult stem cell research, which is already providing cures and treatments for the same conditions", concluded Mr Ozimic.

John Smeaton, SPUC director, commented: “As with IVF and cloning, this mitochondrial technique may well lead to the developmental abnormalities. Creating embryonic children in the laboratory abuses them, by subjecting them to unnatural processes. Human life begins at conception. Any grounds for denying human rights to human embryos are arbitrary and self-serving.

"Scientists should respect human life and pursue ethical alternatives which are much more likely to be successful in the long term", he concluded.

Helen Watt, a senior research director at the Anscombe Centre for Bioethics in Oxford, a Catholic academic institute, told Channel 4 News that both the techniques being assessed by the HFEA involve "very serious ethical problems".

Regarding pronuclear transfer, she said: "This grossly disrespects human life, and any child born from this particular technique will sadly discover she has no genetic parents - not three parents, as is sometimes reported. Instead, she is formed from the bodies of two embryos created and killed precisely as 'building blocks' for hers.

"We are very far here from the unconditional welcome of new life which having a baby should involve."

She added: "Even with the second, less destructive method, maternal spindle transfer, where nuclear material is exchanged before fertilisation, the child will face the unknown physical risks of the procedure in addition to the identity problems of knowing she that has, in this case, three genetic parents. For couples who, understandably, do not want to take the risk of passing on mitochondrial disorders to their children, adoption is a far better solution."

Priestly formation requires integrity and asceticism, as well as "heroic constancy and fidelity.

BENEDICT XVI ENCOURAGES SEMINARIANS TO STUDY HARD


VATICAN CITY, JAN. 20, 2011 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI today told those preparing for the priesthood that their path to holiness also includes a commitment to their studies.

The Pope said this today in an address to the community from one of the Diocese of Rome seminaries, the Almo Collegio Capranica, which he received in audience for the feast of St. Agnes, patron of the college.

He said that priestly formation requires integrity and asceticism, as well as "heroic constancy and fidelity."

"Deep down there should be a solid spiritual life animated by an intense relationship with God on the personal and community level, with particular care shown in liturgical celebrations and the frequenting of the sacraments," the Holy Father encouraged. "The priestly life requires a growing desire for holiness, a clear sensus Ecclesiae and an openness to a fraternity without exclusions or partiality."

And he said that the priest's path to holiness also includes a decision to develop his intelligence and cultural knowledge, the "fruit of passionate and constant study."

"Faith has its own intellectual and rational dimension that is essential," the Pontiff explained. "For a seminarian and a young priest still struggling with academic study, it means assimilating the synthesis between faith and reason that is peculiar to Christianity. The Word of God became flesh, and the priest, the true priest of the Incarnate Word, must become more transparent, luminous and profound, to the eternal Word which is given to us. He who is mature also in this, his global cultural training, can be a more effective educator and promoter of that worship 'in spirit and truth' of which Jesus speaks to the Samaritan woman."

Universal

Benedict XVI also encouraged the seminarians to steep themselves in the experience of the Church's universality.

"Always have a deep sense of history and tradition of the Church," he invited them. "Being in Rome is a gift which should make you especially sensitive to the depth of the Catholic tradition. You touch it with your hands already in the history of the building that houses you. In addition, you live these years of training in a special closeness with the Successor of Peter, which enables you to perceive with particular clarity the size of the universal Church and the desire that the Gospel may reach all peoples. Here you have the opportunity to broaden your horizons with experiences of internationality; here, above all, you breathe Catholicism.

"Take advantage of what is offered, for future service to the Diocese of Rome, or your dioceses of origin! By friendship, which springs from living together, learn about the different situations of the nations and Churches around the world and learn to form in yourselves a Catholic view. Prepare yourselves to be close to every person you meet, not allowing any culture to be a barrier to the Word of life, which you proclaim also with your life."

The Pope concluded by reminding the seminarians that "the Church expects much from the young priests in the work of evangelization and new evangelization."

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On ZENIT's Web page:

Full text: www.zenit.org/article-34158?l=english

Who are the Heralds of the Gospel?

The Heralds of the Gospel is an International Association of Pontifical Right, the first established by the Holy See in the third millennium, on the liturgical feast of the Chair of St. Peter, February 22nd, 2001.

Comprised mainly of young people, this Association is established in 57 countries. Its members practice celibacy, and are entirely dedicated to apostolate, living in separate houses designated for young men and young women.Their life of recollection, study and prayer alternates with evangelizing activities in dioceses and parishes, with special emphasis placed on the formation of youth.

Three essential pillars: The spirituality of the Heralds is based on three essential points: The Eucharist, Mary and the Pope. These points are represented in the emblem that distinguishes them.

Their charism leads them to strive for perfection, while always searching for beauty in all their daily actions, even in the most private ones.

Seeing in culture and art efficacious tools of evangelization, the Heralds characteristically place special emphasis on both choral and instrumental music. Hence, the Heralds have formed various choirs and symphonic bands to bring their message of faith, incentive and confidence to today's humanity.