The Vatican is preparing to host, on March 23rd and 24th, a high-level international conference dedicated to the ethical challenges of molecular biology and regenerative medicine. This meeting, which will take place at the heart of Vatican City, will bring together a wide panel of scientists, physicians, and bioethicists for an in-depth reflection on the challenges posed by contemporary biotechnologies in light of the Christian vision of the human person.
This third edition of the ICEEL conference, entitled "Quid est homo? Quis est homo?" (What is man? Who is man?), is the fruit of a collaboration between the Pontifical Academy for Life, the Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital—owned by the Holy See—and the Swiss research hub NCCR Molecular Systems Engineering, involving the University of Basel and ETH Zurich.
Over these two days, participants will explore the complex links between biomedicine, molecular engineering, and social responsibility. The program includes a series of keynote lectures and roundtable discussions addressing themes as varied as consciousness, spirituality, neuroscience, and scientific communication. Experts will focus particularly on the moral implications of genetic engineering and regenerative medicine, seeking to define the necessary guidelines for responsible biomedical research.
The international stature of the speakers underscores the importance of the event. Among the notable figures expected is Italian engineer Maria Chiara Carrozza, a former Minister of Education, recognized for her work in applied robotics and the ethics of artificial intelligence. The American academic world will be represented by John P. A. Ioannidis, a professor at Stanford University and a world expert in epidemiology and statistics.
The scientific dialogue will be enriched by contributions from Gaia Novarino, a neuroscientist at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria specializing in the genetics of neurological diseases, and Bert Gordijn, a philosopher at Dublin City University, whose work is authoritative in the field of biotechnological policies. Hope Kean, a researcher in cognitive neuroscience at MIT, as well as Maria Patrão Neves from the University of the Azores, a specialist in the philosophy of scientific responsibility, will also take part in the discussions.
According to the organizers, this initiative aims to build a bridge between the most cutting-edge technological advances and the fundamental values upheld by the Church. The goal is to guide tomorrow's policies and practices so that they respect the dignity of the human person.
The event will culminate on March 25th. Following the proceedings, all participants will be received in an audience by Pope Leo XVI at the Apostolic Palace, highlighting the pastoral and doctrinal importance that the Holy See attaches to these crucial questions for the future of humanity.