Religious scholars discuss ethical issues in science
HERALD NEWS BUREAU
PANJIM, DEC 19
Scholars at Rachol Seminary, on the third day of the International Conference on Science and Faith, debated and discussed various ethical, sociological and other issues that crop up as science and technology advance in the modern world.
Dr Theodore Mascarenhas, a Pilar priest, representing the Pontifical Council for Culture explained how the Catholic Church is not against Science and Technology, but in fact encourages and promotes it as long as it takes care of the integral development of human beings.
“God is the beginning and end of everything,” he insisted and reminded that “progress and development has to be accompanied by solidarity and concern, especially towards the marginalized in our world.”
“God and man are partners in creation and human progress,” he added.
Dr Astrid Lobo Gajiwalla, a medical practitioner for the Tata Cancer Hospital Mumbai, delivered an explanation of Oncofertility.
In a paper entitled ‘Rising from the Ashes: The Ethical Dilemmas of Oncofertility,’ she demonstrated how medical research has helped cancer patients to remain fertile, but also indicated ethical problems that arise from the endeavours in Oncofertility.
Dr Sarita Nazareth from Goa University speaking on genetic engineering insisted that all research in this rapidly expanding field should keep central the dignity of each and every human being.
“A new cultural climate is developing and taking hold. This gives crimes against life a new and if possible, even more sinister character, giving rise to further grave concerns,” she warned.
Dr May A Webber, an American speaker illustrating ‘Catholicism and Embryonic Stem Cell Research’ sought to explain as to how the Catholic Church is attempting to come to terms with some.
