The Vatican, the Law and the Human Embryo

The Vatican insists that human embryos must be treated as persons. This would block almost all "in vitro" fertilization and associated biomedical techniques. Moreover this demand is presented as a matter of natural justice, binding on Catholics and non-Catholics alike, and therefore to be incorporated into civil law. The author explores the basis on which the Vatican presumes to proclaim universally binding prescriptions, paying particular attention to those concerning the value of human life. Against this backgroud, the demand that the embryo be treated as a person is assessed. It is argued that the case in natural justice has not been made out, and that in persisting with its demand the Vatican is departing from the fundementals of the Catholic tradition.