The cornerstones of life

The terminology is undoubtedly recent, but the practice dates back in time. Biotechnologies used to be employed by ancient populations for nourishment purposes, in the preparation of dishes and drinks or in agriculture, to select resistant crops or plants with specific features. They were used unknowingly, since only in modern times were the underlying mechanisms of animal and plant data transmission disclosed.Remarkable progress was made over the past century with the discovery of the DNA and its replication process. Genetic engineering has enabled targeted intervention on the genetic heritage of a given organism. Recombinant DNA is a fundamental technique. A practical use of recombinant DNA is insulin production. The development of genetic engineering represents a demarcation line separating traditional biotechnology from innovative biotechnology, marked by the intentional transformation in organisms’ activity, obtained by modifying their genetic patrimony. This has led to the countless recent discoveries such as transgenic crops and food, modified animals, biodiversity, cloning, the mapping of the human genoma, the creation of bacteria strain to tackle pollution. Some of these new applications have raised relevant ethical questions. For this reason, the findings of a recent survey conducted by the public-opinion institute Eurobarometer, showing that European citizens have little knowledge of biotechnologies are rather surprising. The majority of those who said they were aware of biotechnologies believe the effects will be positive provided that a responsible innovation is carried out. Caution is needed. Interviewed Europeans said that all decisions regarding biotechnologies must be based on grounded scientific knowledge, taking into due account ethical, sanitary and environmental factors. In short, economic or business interests should not override everything else. This sensitivity must be shared, since biotechnologies involve the cornerstones of life on the planet, especially as pertains to human life. Jewish philosopher H. Jonas was well aware of this, and considered responsibility a fundamental value for the next generations, to prevent them from inheriting a devastated patrimony, and for mankind, that risks being genetically modified. Indeed, half-way-through the 1970s men envisioned a new possibility, namely, to intervene on the pillars on which life plays its symphony, the sole of the kind in the universe. If this moment had come, a not only ethical but especially anthropological reflection would be of paramount importance; a reflection on who man is, for example, and on how he should be dealt with, even if only at biological level. Man started to view biotechnologies as a challenge, even to metaphysics, as they postulated a global reflection on the human person in his physical and bodily dimension, a profound reflection on the role of man in the world and on God’s plan. Jonas helped understand that technology urgently needed to recover humanistic knowledge, since not everything that is technically possible should be done. Bioethics was established for this reason. Thus biotechnologies are welcome, provided they do not harm the environment – which ought to be assessed in the long-run – and they are not designed to modify human biological structure with the purpose of creating superior beings, while the development of genetic engineering is welcome, if one day it will help nature to progress according to its very essence, i.e. creation according to the will of God. “By operating in this evidently delicate sector – said John Paul II – the researcher fulfills God’s plan”.While in Europe there is widespread caution vis a vis biotechnologies, the same cannot be said for stem cells from human embryos. To this regard, it is necessary to step up public-awareness and clarifications. The position of the Church, supported by reason and by science, is clear: scientific research must be justly encouraged, provided it is not detrimental to other human beings whose dignity is inviolable from the very first stage of existence.