Vatican report fuels GM debate within the Catholic church
The Vatican is preparing to publish a report on genetically modified (GM) crops which its author has hinted will come down in favour of the technology, much to the dismay of Catholic clerics in the developing world. Italian archbishop Renato Martino heads the Vatican department responsible for preparing the report, the pontifical council for justice and peace. Archbishop Martino reportedly told Vatican radio: 'The problem of hunger involves the conscience of every man. For this reason the Catholic church follows with special interest and solicitude every development in science to help the solution of a plight that afflicts [...] humanity.' However, Catholic leaders in developing countries have expressed concerns about GM technology and the contents of the Vatican report. Father Giulio Albanese, head of the missionary news agency, described Archbishop Martino's comments as 'provocation', and warned that issues such property rights for GM seeds 'cannot but accentuate the dependence of the poor nations on the rich ones.' Catholic bishops in the Philippines are also wary of GM crops, and have urged the government there to carry out more research before granting GM authorisations. 'We have to be careful, because once it is there, how can we remedy its consequences?' asks Cardinal Ricardo Vidal. The Pope himself appears to support a cautious approach, having previously stated that GM agriculture could not solely be assessed on the basis of 'short term economic interests', but should be subject to 'a rigorous scientific and ethical process of verification'. The report's publication should reveal whether the Pope's position has since changed, or whether the clerics in the developing world were able to secure Vatican support in watering down its pro GM tone.
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