“Pre-implant diagnosis must be rejected because it introduces for the first time a deliberate eugenic policy. Pre-implant diagnosis is a form of eugenics since it consists in eliminating the entire embryo whose defective genes could lead to a hereditary illness”: so says the text of the motion of the Swiss Bishops’ Conference (SBC) concerning the approval of pre-implant diagnosis advanced by the Commission of the National Council. The SBC does not admit pre-implant diagnosis and hopes that the Council of the States, which will be called to pronounce on the matter on 13 December, will express itself in a similar way. “Pre-implant diagnosis say the Swiss bishops in a statement issued today represents a new form of selection. The distinction between an acceptable and an unacceptable embryo is arbitrary. Moreover, pre-implant diagnosis is contrary to human dignity, which is protected by the Federal Constitution”. Accepting this diagnosis, in the view of the SBC, “means violating the principles of equality and justice. The handicapped would no longer have the right to live. Pre-implant diagnosis is an affront to many handicapped persons”. “Promoting a truly human form of scientific research that respects life and the integrity of the embryo conclude the bishops is the task of a democratic State”.
