Holy See Sets Bioethics Standards for Research and Aborted Fetal Vaccines

For Immediate Release: December 15, 2008
Children of God for Life

Holy See Document, Dignitas Personae, Sets Bioethics Standards for Research and Aborted Fetal Vaccines

In a statement written on September 8th and released December 12th, 2008, the Holy See clarified a number of issues in biomedical research and their application to family life that have been hotbeds of contention for decades.  The new official Church instruction, Dignitas Personae, (Dignity of the Person) expanded Catholic teaching from a number of previously published documents, including Donum Vitae, Veritatis Splendor and Evangelium Vitae to assist Catholics in the ever changing world of modern scientific technologies.

Children of God for Life’s Executive Director, Debi Vinnedge, was delighted with the latest development. “Dignitas Personae acknowledges that previous standards by some ethics committees have not been “sufficient” and the Holy See has taken steps to assist both parents who vaccinate their children and researchers who use aborted fetal or embryonic material.”

In the section titled, The use of human “biological material” of illicit origin , the Vatican noted:

“Therefore, it needs to be stated that there is a duty to refuse to use such “biological material” even when there is no close connection between the researcher and the actions of those who performed the artificial fertilization or the abortion, or when there was no prior agreement with the centers in which the artificial fertilization took place. This duty springs from the necessity to remove oneself, within the area of one’s own research, from a gravely unjust legal situation and to affirm with clarity the value of human life.”

The Vatican further clarified actions required by parents who may be faced with using vaccines that are produced using aborted fetal materials.

“Grave reasons may be morally proportionate to justify the use of such “biological material”.  Thus, for example, danger to the health of children could permit parents to use a vaccine which was developed using cell lines of illicit origin, while keeping in mind that everyone has the duty to make known their disagreement and to ask that their healthcare system make other types of vaccines available. ”

“Once again, it is important that people read the entire statement carefully”, Vinnedge cautioned. “We have already seen some news stories opining that parents can use these vaccines without reporting on the further conditions laid down by the Holy See.”  Vinnedge is strongly encouraging concerned families to do as the Church is instructing and begin rallying behind AVM Biotechnology, ( www.avmbiotech.com ) the only company worldwide whose mission is to bring morally produced alternative vaccines to the United States.

“AVM Biotech and SCPI have already risen to the challenge before this latest document emerged,” noted Debi Vinnedge.  “We pray that all Catholic healthcare facilities, our bishops, our families and pro-life benefactors will stand firmly behind their work and provide the resources and support they need to answer the Church’s calling.”