Some Basic Considerations on Moral Teaching in the Church

Abstract

As a general introduction, I would like to propose some reflections on two points. The first is about the development of bioethical research and the emergence every day of a more complex ethical problematic. In this context I shall emphasize the mutual enrichment which has been brought out from the dialogue between the biological sciences (biology, genetics, medicine), ethics in general, and applied ethics in particular. The second point will relate to social and juridical implications of bioethical problems, that is, the importance in this historical moment, of the dialogue between morality and law, and of the presence of Christian attitudes in public life. By way of introduction I shall recall briefly some of the major changes brought about by the second Vatican Council on the matter.