Business World (Phillippines) | January 13, 2000
Despite controversy surrounding the ill effects of biotechnology, top Catholic Church officials are convinced that this latest progeny of science is a gain rather than a loss to humanity. Biotechnology, or the use of biological techniques to improve agricultural products and medicine, has been in hot water since news broke that some of its practical applications in the market such as Genetically Modified Products (GMPs) could cause cancer, gene mutation and other health hazards.
"I have stopped all those who demand condemnation of these (genetically modified) products," said Bishop Elio Sgreccia, Vatican director of Bioethics and vice-president of the Pontifical Academy of Life (PAL).
He emphasized that biotechnological research could resolve global problems such as hunger since it enables agricultural productivity even in arid lands.
"We (PAL members) are increasingly encouraged that the advantages of genetic engineering of plants and animals are greater than the risks," explained Bishop Sgreccia. "The risks should be carefully followed through openness, analysis and control, but without a sense of alarm."
Another PAL fellow, Giuseppe Bertoni, criticized the "catastrophic sensationalism" of press reports that substantially contribute to biotechnology's current infamous image. "It's true that ethical limits must be respected but, above all, the reality of biotechnology must be known," said Bertoni. "If you know biotechnology, you don't fear it." He further pointed out that the "idea of conceiving scientific progress is something to be feared" should be rejected.
PAL, being an authority on science's moral and ethical issues, presented two volumes of documents two months ago regarding biotechnology.
Though clearly not in favor of human cloning, PAL scholars gave a "prudent yes" to plant and animal engineering since it is a potential mechanism to alleviate certain human problems such as world hunger, incurable diseases and the like.
Though not part of PAL, theologian Daniel McGee shared PAL's view that "God is a presence who continues in the marvelous creative process" and mankind partakes in all of these divine efforts.
