Argentinean pro-life leader criticizes attempts to legalize in vitro

Buenos Aires, Argentina, Nov 12, 2010 / 00:47 am

The director of the pro-life organization Movimiento Fundar in Argentina has released a statement explaining why in vitro fertilization should not be legalized in the country.

Argentina's Congress is currently debating a number of measures that would legalize the procedure.

Nicolas Lafferriere, head of the organization, stated Nov. 9 that the Catholic Church “clearly points out that lawmakers cannot approve these techniques, as the transmission of human life cannot be reduced to mere technological procedures that do not uphold the dignity of each human life.”

Lafferriere noted that in vitro fertilization disconnects procreation from sexuality, such that the transmission of human life does not take place in the conjugal act, but rather through a technological one that is subjected to control mechanisms and manipulation.

The procedure results in the conception of multiple embryos, some of which are eliminated, frozen or considered unsuitable after examination. This violates a basic bio-ethical principal respecting human dignity, the expert warned.

Lafferriere pointed out that Argentina’s Constitution recognizes that human life begins at conception. “Any legislation on this issue must have this as its starting point and must adopt measures to protect the unborn, their dignity and fundamental rights.”

The application of new bio-technologies must be properly channeled so as not to be turned against man, he continued. “Only by respecting the inviolability of each human life, the dignity of the person and the uniqueness of the transmission of human life will it be possible for biotechnology to contribute to the good of the person, the family and society,” the expert said.