"On the contrary, according to the Pope, "the new problems linked with the freezing of human embryos (through embryo reduction; pre-implant diagnosis; research on embryo stem cells; and the attempts of human cloning), clearly show us that the barrier placed to defend human dignity was violated through artificial extra-corporeal insemination". "When human beings, in the weakest and most undefended states of their existence, are selected, abandoned, killed or used as mere ‘biologic material’ wondered the Pope how can we deny that they are no longer treated as ‘somebody’, but as ‘something’, thus calling in question the very concept of dignity of man?". Even though, explained the Pope, "the Church appreciates and encourages the progress of biomedical sciences paving the way for new therapeutic perspectives, unknown until now, for instance, by using soma stem cells or through therapies meant for giving back fertility, or for curing genetic diseases", the Church "feels the duty to illuminate the consciences of everybody, asking scientific progress to be really respectful of every human being". The Pope concluded with an appeal to Christians, for them to consider "the holy and certain doctrine of the Church in the shaping of their consciences". ” “
