Statement on the so-called "embryonic reduction".

Foundation: committeePontifical Council for the Family.
sourceHoly See.
languageOriginal: Italian.
Copyright of the original Italian: No.
English translation: Holy See.
Copyright of the Spanish translation: No.
Date: 12 July 2000.
Checked on 30 April 2003.

Statement on the so-called "embryonic reduction".

The Pontifical Council for the Family committee, invited to express its position on the so-called "embryo reduction", after having consulted the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, issues the following Declaration.

Today, cases of multiple pregnancies, i.e. when the mother's womb is shared by several embryos, are less rare. They often occur either through the application of ovarian stimulation in cases of infertility or through artificial fertilisation, on which the Magisterium has already pronounced itself (Cong. Doct. Fe, Inst. Donum vitae, II). The difficult and even dramatic situations which the use of such techniques can give rise to must be taken into account. A call to responsibility cannot be omitted for those doctors who put at risk the life of the mother and of the children conceived through lack of expertise and precaution or in the application of artificial fertilisation techniques.

It is often claimed by some that multiple pregnancies cannot be carried to term, either because of spontaneous in utero death of the embryos or because of their premature non-viable birth. They also add that if the unborn babies are delivered, the obstetric difficulty (and consequent danger to the mother) is greater. On these assumptions they conclude that the selection and elimination of some embryos in order to save the others, or at least one of them, could be justified. For this reason the technique called "embryo reduction" has been introduced.

In relation to the above, it is necessary to point out the following. As every embryo must be considered and treated as a human person (Cong. Doct. Fe, Inst. Donum vitae, I. 1), with the eminent dignity that this implies, the unborn child is the subject of fundamental rights from the first moment of conception, and in the first place of the right to life, which can in no way be violated. It must therefore be clearly stated, avoiding any confusion or ambiguity, that "embryo reduction" is a selective abortion. It is the direct and voluntary elimination of an innocent human being (John Paul II, Enc. Evangelium vitae, n. 57). Therefore, whether intended as an end or used as a means, it is always a grave moral disorder (John Paul II, Encyclical Evangelium vitae, n. 62). Since it is a truth naturally accessible to reason, the unlawfulness of such behaviour is a valid rulefor all and also for non-believers (John Paul II, Enc. Evangelium vitae, n. 101).

The moral prohibition also applies in cases where the continuation of the pregnancy would endanger the life of the mother and of the other twins. Indeed, it is never licit to do evil, even in order to achieve good (John Paul II, Encyclical Evangelium vitae, n. 57).

Man's life comes from God, it is his gift, his image and imprint, a participation in his vital breath (John Paul II, Enc. Evangelium vitae, n. 39). Embryo selection cannot be justified on the basis of the so-called principle of the lesser evil, because a human life is eliminated, nor can it be justified on the basis of the principle of double effect; neither can be applied in this case. Embryo selection can also lead to a eugenic mentality, i.e. to measure the value of a human life and select it according to parameters of "normality" and physical well-being (John Paul II, Evangelium vitae, n. 63), invoking the concept of "quality of life" in a reductive way. This possibility should not be underestimated.

May the Lord of life accompany the parents in the fulfilment of their exalted duty mission statement, sustaining them in their commitment to respect the right to the existence of the unborn child, and the children, guiding those who are in the service of life to do everything possible to save the mother and the children, in the midst of sometimes dramatic difficulties. Thank God, thanks to considerable scientific progress, there are more and more cases in which multiple pregnancies can be successfully carried to term.

It remains true that, although human limitation sometimes means that one must attendpowerlessly anticipate the death of innocent creatures, it is never morally licit to voluntarily provoke their death.

Vatican City, 12 July 2000.

Alfonso Cardenal López Trujillo
President

Francisco Gil Hellín
Secretary