HOMEPAGE for this issue: October 12, 2011 // Download PDF Version // Click to install/update Adobe Reader on your computer

Gospel of Life conference to explore biotechnology from Catholic perspective

By Nissa LaPoint

One of the first words that may come to a Catholic person’s mind when they hear “respect life” is the topic of abortion.

In Lynn Grandon’s experience as director of the Office of Respect Life and Human Dignity in Peoria, Ill., and now the director of the Archdiocese of Denver’s Respect Life Office, many of those at parishes and schools don’t think about the other issues threatening the dignity of human life, she said.

This year, Grandon organized the Gospel of Life Conference on Oct. 22 to focus on the many other life issues Catholics should be educated on including biotechnologies and transhumanism.

“This year I felt like it was imperative for us not to discuss issues that have probably been discussed a number of times with people who do care about pro-life issues,” Grandon said. “They are the ones that are in the know. That’s why we wanted to present the newest things that are coming up in the future.”

During the all-day conference to be held on the John Paul II Center campus, two bioethics experts will speak about new technologies in practice and those on the horizon that Catholics should know about, she said.

The conference will start with an 8 a.m. Mass at Christ the King Chapel. Then keynote speaker Father Thomas Berg, executive director of the Westchester Institute for Ethics and the Human Person, will lead his talk on “Emerging Biotechnologies”; and Christian Brugger, a professor at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary, will discuss “Transhumanism” at Bonfils Hall.

The speakers will explain new medical and clinical technologies, such as eugenics and cloning, from the Christian perspective and answer questions from the conference attendees.

Learning about this Christian view of biotechnology is what Father Jim Thermos, director of spirituality at St. John Vianney, wants first-year seminarians to understand. As part of their spiritual journey, Father Thermos is taking 24 seminarians to the conference.

“I hope they will be able to see with Jesus’s eyes the issues around science and technology,” Father Thermos said. “There is truth present in science and technology, but it must be viewed correctly.”

Science and technology have the ability to strengthen human dignity and enable people to further love each other, he added, but it’s also important to have a deep awareness of what they can’t accomplish.

“We must be aware of turning ourselves and our brothers and sisters into objects instead of a person,” he said.

“I want to introduce the philosophy in an initial way to the audience and tell them that this is out there and that they should be aware of it,” Brugger said. “I think they will be surprised when they hear about the experiments being done.”

Those who attend the conference will also see an advance showing of a pro-life film produced by the directors of 2006’s award-winning “Bella.” The 12-minute film focuses on abortion, said Josef Lipp, director of Movie to Movement, an organization that produces and promotes movies about life, love and beauty.
Executive Director Jennifer Kraska of the Colorado Catholic Conference, the advocacy group for the Catholic community on public policy, will also give an update about current legislation at the end of the conference.

On all the pro-life issues arising from biotechnologies, Grandon said she wants attendees to leave the conference more aware and able to joyfully and boldly witness to the truths about human dignity.

“We just have to take the time to graciously educate,” she said, “and the more people that understand (biotechnology issues), the more people will stand up against immoral efforts.”

Tickets are $25 per person and may be purchased up to the day of the conference, although registration is encouraged by Oct. 20. More information and registration forms are available at www.archden.org/respectlife.