Vatican City, Feb 6, 2006 / 22:00 pm
The Vatican has announced that later this month, the Holy See’s Pontifical Academy for Life will host a conference exploring the nature of the Human Embryo and assessing progress of the Culture of Life against what the late John Paul II called the “Culture of Death.”
The Vatican’s New Synod Hall has been decided as the venue for the February 27th through 28th congress themed, "The Human Embryo Before Implantation: Scientific Update and Bioethical Considerations" following the XII General Assembly of this institution (March 1st).
In a statement released today, the Vatican said that the symposium will be opened by Bishop Elio Sgreccia, President of the Academy for Life.
Following the commencing session, Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragan, President of the Pontifical Council for Heath Pastoral Care will address the theme "The Culture of Death Against the Culture of Life in the Teachings of Evangelium Vitae."
Congress members will explore the development of the human embryo prior to implantation, the diagnostic of the embryo, both prenatal and before implantation, and the bio-anthropological status of the embryo prior to implantation, among other topics.
Likewise, February 28th will bring a roundtable discussion in which various academics will address the question: "Is the Human Embryo a Person?"