"In the last century, the advancements of science and surgical technique have made it possible to intervene, with increasing success, in the life of sick people. So, recovery, which beforehand in many cases was only a marginal option, is now a normally achievable prospect": this was said this morning by Pope Benedict XVI as he received in audience, in the Sala Clementina of the Apostolic Palace, the participants in the 110th National Congress of the Italian Surgical Society. "However, this approach engenders a new risk: that of abandoning the patient as one feels it is impossible to achieve any appreciable result. It is true instead that, even when recovery is no longer an option, one can still do a lot for a sick person: one can mitigate his suffering, above all one can assist him in his path, improving as far as possible the quality of his life", went on the Pope, pointing out that such attitude "should not be underestimated, because every single patient, even the terminally ill, carries an unconditional value, a dignity to be respected that is the inescapable foundation of every medical action. The respect of human dignity requires the unconditional respect of every single human being, born or unborn, healthy or sick, whatever state he is in". (continued)
