U.S. Ambassador Urges Vatican to Support Biotech Crops
Sometimes science and religion can make for strange bedfellows. There are always moral and ethical issues that often come into question when a discussion of the two topics comes up. The same holds true for discussions regarding religious opinions on genetically modified foods and biotechnology. That’s why I was interested in reading recently about the efforts of a new U.S. ambassador in urging the Vatican to support genetically modified foods and biotech crops (Ambassador touts Genetically Modified Foods at Vatican, Fort-Worth Star-Telegram, 11/13/05).
The new U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See, Francis Rooney, met with Pope Benedict XVI on November 12th during an audience with the pontiff at the Vatican. According to news reports, Ambassador Rooney urged the Vatican to promote the potential of genetically modified crops during the meeting, saying there was a “moral imperative” to investigate the possible benefits of agricultural biotechnology to feed the hungry of the world.
“Nothing on its own can solve the problem of world hunger. But we cannot let irrational fears stop us from investigating what could be one part of the answer,” Ambassador Rooney told Pope Benedict XVI as he presented his credentials during the audience at the Vatican.
Pope Benedict told Ambassador Rooney that he urges the United States to continue its generous aid to poor countries, but stated that all political decisions must be based on ethical considerations that promote “the dignity, life, and freedom of each human person.” The Roman Catholic Church has no specific position on the matter.
However, biotechnology has found a welcome ear in some Vatican circles. Cardinal Renato Martino, who heads the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace has spoken favorably about biotechnology and even hosted an international conference on the topic two years ago. Cardinal Martino even told a conference last September that the Vatican was open to experimentation in the field of biotechnology, but stressed that the experimentation must be done with prudence.
In his comments during the audience at the Vatican, Ambassador Rooney said the advance of agricultural science could help people in even the most difficult environments produce crops to feed themselves.
“We look to the Holy See to help the world recognize the moral imperative of a true investigation of these technologies, “Ambassador Rooney said.
We all know that the United States is home to major multinational biotechnology companies and the potential of genetically modified foods to feed the hungry of the world and those in impoverished nations has been highly touted. Critics of the technology still remain, stating that the dangers of genetically modified foods outweigh the benefits. However, the meeting that Ambassador Rooney had with Pope Benedict XVI about genetically modified foods is a step in the right direction toward a new acceptance of the technology. Whether the Roman Catholic Church will take a position on the topic that could ultimately influence the opinions of other religions and even countries remains to be seen, but it’s a good start.
