The 2nd International Bioethics Conference, held in Rome on May 17-18, focused on contemporary bioethical challenges. It was inspired by the thought and legacy of Jérôme Lejeune on the 30th anniversary of his death.  

George Weigel, Senior Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, contributed via video, saying, “In Jérôme Lejeune, the world met a man for whom the defense of life became an apostolate.’ The charism Dr. Lejeune had been given had been lived in evangelical service to Christ and Christ’s little ones.”  

The threats to human dignity and the sanctity of life that Jérôme Lejeune strove so mightily to resist have intensified.  

The event focused on significant issues in genetics, biotechnology, and neuroscience related to human life and health. Topics included genetic editing of embryos for therapy or enhancement, prenatal diagnosis, assisted reproduction, surrogacy, artificial wombs, “three-parent embryos,” synthetic biology, euthanasia, neonatal palliative care, gender dysphoria, and hormone treatment for minors. The conference aimed to enrich scientific debate through a perspective grounded in human nature and natural law.  

“The threats to human dignity and the sanctity of life that Jérôme Lejeune and John Paul II strove so mightily to resist have intensified,” Weigel said. “We may hope and pray that Jérôme Lejeune’s heroic virtues will be officially recognized by the Church so that he may join his friend John Paul II among the ranks of the beatified and canonized.”  

The conference highlighted the richness, depth, and relevance of Jérôme Lejeune’s thought, hoping it would illuminate today’s bioethical challenges and help preserve human dignity in all circumstances.   

Adapted by Jacob Stein 

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