Session dedicated to the Commission's application for a bilateral opinion

deep ethical problems and potential dangers

Final Declaration At the sixth meeting of the Bilateral Commission in Rome, we discussed the relationship between human life and technology, realizing that great advances have been made in medicine, as well as the challenges and opportunities that they offer

We affirm the principles of our respective religious traditions, according to which God is the Creator and Lord of all life, and human life is Holy because, as the Bible teaches, man was created in the image and likeness of God (cf.Genesis -).

Because life is a divine gift, a divine attention, and must be preserved, we have decided to reject the idea of human domination over life, or the right of a person or group of people to decide its value or duration. Therefore, we reject the concept of active euthanasia unacceptable Arrogance of a person, at the time of the death of a human person, in order to determine what power of God has self-criticism.

Their desecration must be rejected and condemned

We thank the Creator, this person, for the ability that gave, healed and preserved life, and for the significant achievements that have been made in modern science, medicine and technology. However, we recognize that these positive developments entail greater responsibility and accountability. In this context, we emphasize the doctrine of our ostentatiously transmitted heritage, according to which all human knowledge and ability to serve and contribute to the life and dignity of the human person must necessarily correspond to the moral values and principles underlying this heritage. Hence, in connection with the recognition of the fact that not everything that is technically possible is also ethically acceptable within the framework, in the case of scientific and technical research, of an applied nature. Attention and concern for human life should be a universal moral imperative, and every civil society and law should thus guarantee a culture of life that should be encouraged. Also, while denying man's arrogance to use the divine privilege of determining the time of death, we emphasize the obligation to do everything possible to alleviate suffering. We encourage medical staff and researchers consider all questions concerning life and death, and this inspires the wisdom of religion. Therefore, we recommend that you consult not only the relevant families on these issues, but also the relevant religious authorities. Our shared belief that life on this earth is really only a part of human existence requires that we, on the contrary, maintain the utmost attention to the outer"shell"- the human form in which the person in this world, the concrete reality, is. Consequently, we have completely rejected the idea that the limited amount of time during which the nature of human existence on Earth can allow us to instrumentalize ourselves. In this context, we strongly condemn any bloodshed, propaganda of any ideology that has as its goal, especially when it is done in the name of religion.

Such an action is nothing but profanation of the divine name.

Therefore, we strive for progress for the common good of humanity by promoting respect for God, for religion and its symbols, for Holy places and places of prayer.

At the same time as these abuses and the current tensions between cultures, it is necessary to abandon our bilateral dialogue, and we are bound by certain ties. That is why we consider it our duty to seek the participation of the Muslim world and its leader in a respectful dialogue and cooperation.

We also appeal to the great ones of the world to recognize the positive power of the religious dimension in helping to resolve conflicts and tensions, and we call on you to support them through interfaith dialogue.