Dignitas personae

Dignitas Personae (“The Dignity of the Person”), issued by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on September 8, 2008, examines contemporary bioethical questions in light of the Church’s perennial teaching on the sanctity of human life. Addressing emerging technologies such as in vitro fertilization, embryonic stem cell research, cloning, and genetic engineering, the document reaffirms that every human being—regardless of developmental stage—possesses inherent dignity and must never be treated as an object of experimentation or manipulation.

Rooted in Scripture, natural law, and the prior teachings of the Magisterium, Dignitas Personae provides clear moral guidance for Catholics navigating complex biomedical advancements. It highlights both the value of legitimate scientific progress and the grave moral dangers posed by techniques that violate human dignity, destroy human embryos, or separate procreation from the marital act. In an era of rapidly evolving reproductive technologies, this authoritative document offers a principled and pastoral roadmap for safeguarding the integrity of the human person from conception to natural death.