CBCP to host two-day international meet on bioethics

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) will host on Tuesday a two-day international conference that will tackle challenges presented by biotechnology to human life and the family, such as abortion and genetic engineering.

CBCP president and Iloilo Archbishop Angel Lagdameo said yesterday the conference to be held at the EDSA Shangri-La in Mandaluyong City will be attended by some of the world’s leading experts on bioethics and biomedicine.

Prominent bioethicist Bishop Elio Sgreccia, president of the Pontifical Academy for Life at the Holy See and professor and author from the Vatican, will deliver the keynote address.

Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales will give the second keynote address focusing on the family.

In a statement, the CBCP said Lagdameo and Rosales will preside over a Mass before and after the conference, respectively. The event is chaired by Malolos Bishop Jose Oliveros, who heads the CBCP office on bioethics.

San Fernando, Pampanga Bishop Paciano Aniceto, who chairs the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Family and Life, will deliver the welcome statement, while Papal Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Fernando Filoni would read Pope Benedict XVI’s message to the organizers, speakers and participants.

The speakers in the event include Dr. James Sherley, Ph.D., a professor of biological engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He will share his insights on stem cell research, covering its scientific and ethical aspects.

William Lee Saunders, who holds a masteral degree in law from Harvard University and heads the Center for Bioethics at the Family Research Council in Washington D.C., will discuss cloning, genetic engineering and nanotechnology.

Dr. John Willke, chairman and president of the International Right to Life Federation, will tackle a global review of the various challenges to the family, from contraception and abortion to euthanasia.

Patrick Fagan, family and religion expert at the Heritage Foundation also in Washington D.C., will present a paper on the future of the American family, and the state of marriage and the family around the world.

Professor Richard Wilkins, a well-known international law expert from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah and who runs the Doha Institute for Family Studies and Development in Qatar, will examine the prospects for international cooperation on human life and the family.

John Klink, president of the Holy See International Catholic Migration Commission, will talk about international organizations, reproductive health and human cloning, while John Smeaton, national director of the Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child (SPUC) in London, will present a paper on the future of the European family.

Former CBCP president and Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Quevedo will discuss a paper on the future of Asian families. He is the incumbent secretary general of the Asian Bishops Conference.

While Fr. Fausto Gomez, O.P., Southeast Asian Center for Bioethics president and Pontifical Academy for Life member, will deliver a paper on the dignity of the human embryo, particularly on the bioethical implications for new bio and reproductive technologies.

Former Senate Majority Leader Francisco Tatad, governing board member of International Right to Life Federation (IRLF) and World Youth Alliance (WYA), is tasked to explain the trend of civil legislation on human life and the family in light of advances in genetic engineering and biotechnology.

IRLF board members will serve as the panel of reactors along with some members of Congress. They are Jim Hughes of Campaign Life Canada, Lech and Ewa Kowalewski of the Polish Pro-Life Movements, Talmir Rodriques of the Family Life Promotion of Brazil, Bert Dorenbos of Schreeuw om Leven in Holland, and Catherine Cotton of the Australian Pro-Life Movement.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr., Reps. Abraham Mitra of Palawan, Hermilando Mandanas of Batangas, Edmundito Reyes of Marinduque, and Eduardo Zialcita of Parañaque, and Dr. Edna Monzon of the University of Sto. Tomas’ Faculty of Medicine compose the team of Filipino reactors.

Medical practitioners, hospital administrators, family and human life workers, government personnel, university professors, students, lawmakers and members of the clergy are expected to attend the conference.

For more information, Ma. Fenny Tatad, conference general secretary, can be e-mailed at [email protected], or the Episcopal Commission on the Laity c/o its executive secretary Ernie

Burdeos or assistant secretary Joseph Jesalva at [email protected], or call 527-3124.