Catholic World News News Feature

Ratzinger Underlines Gravity of Cloning March 05, 1997

Vatican (CWN) -- In an interview published today in the Italian daily La Repubblica, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger made it clear that the Church takes the issue of cloning very seriously. "This danger should not be underestimated," said the head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. "One cannot take human life lightly."

Any cloning of animals raises the ultimate question in stark relief, the cardinal continued, because cloning of animals-- especially mammals-- is only one short step removed from cloning of human beings.

Cardinal Ratzinger made no secret of his plan to use the press in order to call attention to the moral issues involved in cloning. "We are asking for the help of the media," he allowed.

The cardinal made it clear that the interest of the Church extends purely to the moral and ethical questions raised by the new scientific furor. "I do not enter into technical and scientific questions," he said when asked about the potential scientific advances that might be made through research on cloning. "The Church occupies herself with the dignity of man, the defense of life." And in that realm, he emphasized, "it is not permissible to manipulate God's will."

"If the research allows the elimination of hunger or certain diseases, that is welcome," conceded Cardinal Ratzinger-- although he pointed out that to date there is no assurance of such progress. But then he drew a clear line: "The sanctity of life is untouchable."

Press to answer whether the Church's position on this issue could lead to new charges that Catholicism is hostile toward science, the cardinal observed that it is highly unlikely that anything like the Galileo controversy could be repeated, since the Church has taken pains to enter into dialogue with leaders of the scientific community.

Still, he concluded, "Science must be guided by ethical criteria." And in pressing for such criteria, neither the Church nor Pope John Paul stands alone; many others-- scientists and non-scientists-- clearly understand the need for strong moral guidelines.