Vatican City, Feb 23, 2006 / 22:00 pm
Earlier today at the Vatican Press Office, a veritable who’s who of scientific and ethical experts gathered to discuss the nature of the human embryo, seeking to understand how it may be more fully understood and respected within an increasingly hostile society.
The group had gathered to present plans for an international congress themed, "the human embryo prior to implantation, scientific aspects and bioethical considerations," which will be held at the Vatican on Monday and Tuesday of next week.
The congress is being held to mark the 12th general assembly of the Pontifical Academy for Life.
On hand for today's press conference were Bishop Elio Sgreccia, president of the Pontifical Academy for Life; Adriano Bompiani, gynecologist and director of the International Scientific Institute of Rome's Sacred Heart Catholic University; Fr. Kevin T. Fitzgerald, associate professor of genetics at the oncological department of Georgetown University, Washington, U.S.A.; and Bishop Willem Jacobus Eijk of Groningen, Netherlands, moral theologian, expert on bioethics and doctor.