Modern advances in science and medicine have changed the landscape as to how we see life. Today, new embryoscope technology has allowed us to see the miracle of life from the very moment of conception. The previously unseen process by which a single fertilised egg multiplies into a cluster of cells and becomes an embryo can now be documented and followed right up to birth and after. Scientific progress has also widened the possibilities of unjustifiable and unethical intrusions in the very first days of an embryo’s life. The silent ongoing destruction of embryos on a massive scale worldwide is a matter of concern to all of us. The practice of genetic testing under the pretext of ensuring the birth of healthy babies means that only ‘healthy embryos’ are allowed to survive. This practice is not only unethical but also in most countries serves as a justification for the acceptance and extension of so- called eugenic prenatal testing and extend to abortion or reproductive rights. In this seminar we strive to highlight the need to protect the embryo and analyze the different practices endangering an embryo’s life: the ethical and legal dimension of the problem, and practical solutions to limit this abuse.
Simultaneous translation in the following languages: Spanish, English and French.
DRAFT PROGRAM
17:00 – 17:15 | Opening Session, Welcome address
Jaime Mayor Oreya, President One of Us Federation : Protection of Life from Conception, the beginning of the end of abortion
17:15 – 18:30 | Embryo Protection: A One of Us priority
- Embryo Protection and Pre-Natal Testing -medical and ethical aspects
Speaker: Domenico Coviello
- Embryo Protection and Freedom of Conscience
Speaker: Vincent Degaetano
- Embryo Protection in Malta -a legislative history
Speaker: Tonio Borg
- Rehumanizing the embryo-reclaiming the humanity and value of the embryo as One of Us
Speaker: Miriam Sciberras
18:30-18:45 | Q & A
Moderator: Ana del Pino
19:00-19:15 | Closing Session and Conclusions
Speaker: Julio Tudela Cuenca
SPEAKERS
- Jaime Mayor Oreja: President of the One of Us Federation
- Domenico Coviello: geneticist, Director of the Human Genetics Laboratory of the Galliera Hospital in Genoa
- Vincent Degaetano: former President of the Supreme Court and former judge of the European Court of Human Rights
- Tonio Borg: Former European Commissioner and former Deputy Prime Minister and Cabinet Minister in Malta
- Miriam Sciberras: President Life Network Foundation Malta
- Julio Tudela Cuenca: Doctor in Pharmacy, Catholic University of Valencia. Member of the Bioethics Observatory
- Ana del Pino: jurist, European Coordinator of the One of Us Federation
