Seoul, South Korea, Nov 7, 2007 / 12:25 pm (CNA).- In what the Archbishop of Seoul called "a sign of the times," the Catholic University of Korea has opened an institute dedicated to bioethics—the study of moral issues related to technology and medicine.

Called the Highly Specialized Institute for Bioethics in Asia, it is named after the Archbishop of Seoul, Cardinal Nicholas Cheong.  The institute has been approved by the Ministry for Education and the Development of Human Resources, and students have registered for the 2007-2008 school year, according to Fides.  It is the first Asian institute of its type.

Scientists, doctors, theologians, and anthropologists will staff the institute.  They will work out of two departments: Bioethics and Culture of Life.  Courses are open to students, doctors, journalists, politicians, members of civic organizations, and other interested persons.

The first Dean of the School, Reverend Remigio Lee Dong-ik, stated: "Bioethics starts from a correct understanding of the human person, which has as its basis God's love for humanity. I expect our schools will help diffuse bioethics in a Christian spirit.”

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