3rd International Bioethics Conference
The splendor of truth
in Science and Bioethics
May 30th - 31st, 2025
Rome - Italy
3rd International Bioethics Conference
The splendor of truth
in Science and Bioethics
May 30th - 31st, 2025
Rome - Italy
Jérôme Lejeune and the challenges of Bioethics in the 21st century
3rd International Bioethics Conference
International Chair of Bioethics Jérôme Lejeune
Welcome to the 3rd International Bioethics Conference organized by the International Chair of Bioethics Jérôme Lejeune.
The general objective of this Conference is to analyze the relationship between Science and Truth at the intersection between medical and experimental sciences (medicine, genetics, physics), philosophy and theology.
Special attention will be given to:
- The pursuit of truth in science and its possible scientific demonstration. The points of agreement and disagreement between Science and Revelation (Big Bang vs Creationism). The complementarity of the different routes of scientific research.
- The existence of truth in Bioethics and Medical Deontology, in particular in the case of genetic counseling and conscientious objection. The criteria for prudential moral discernment in bioethics and the way to move from the truth of principles to the truth of specific situations. The pursuit of good and virtue.
- The duty for science to remain at the service of mankind and the truth, following the footsteps of Professor Jérôme Lejeune.
The program will address, in particular, the following bioethical issues: If scientific truths are contingent, then can there be an immutable truth? Can science reveal truth, and how? Are science and faith ever in opposition? Beyond cultural and personal differences, is there an immutable law of nature? Can natural law be reconciled with particular cases, especially in bioethics? Are there non-negotiable values? What do sciences, and biology in particular, tell us about human specificity: is man an animal like any other (speciesism), or does he have a dignity of his own? The issue of speciesism. Must science free itself from truth in order to advance?
The Conference is addressed to researchers, scientists, doctors, nurses and other health staff, philosophers, theologians, teachers and trainers in general. Ultimately, to all those interested in learning how to confront bioethical dilemmas with rational arguments.
As the moment approaches, we invite you to enjoy the 2024 edition’s recap video.
The law does not contain all the rights.
Human nature exists and whether we like it or not, we are obliged to take it into account
Jérôme Lejeune
Program 2025
Below, you can review the program for the 3rd International Bioethics Conference.
We will update the information as the date approaches.
8.00 am – 9.00 am Welcome and registration
9.00 am – 9.15 am Opening speech
I have only one recommendation: the truth, the truth again, always the truth. Jérôme Lejeune
- Mr. Jean-Marie Le Méné, President of the Fondation Jérôme Lejeune. Ordinary Member of the Pontifical Academy for Life. France.
- Prof. Mónica López Barahona, President of the International Chair of Bioethics Jérôme Lejeune. Ordinary Member of the Pontifical Academy for Life. Spain.
9.15 am – 10.00 am Inaugural lecture: SCIENCE AND BIOETHICS AT THE SERVICE OF TRUTH
- Chair: Prof. Mónica López Barahona, President of the International Chair of Bioethics Jérôme Lejeune. Ordinary Member of the Pontifical Academy for Life. Spain.
- His Eminence Cardinal Willem Jacobus Eijk, Metropolitan Archbishop of Utrecht. Physician. Ordinary Member of the Pontifical Academy for Life. Netherland.
10.00 am – 10.45 am Lecture: CAN IMMUTABLE TRUTH STAND UP TO THE TRUTHS OF SCIENCE?
- Chair: (TBC)
- Prof. Olivier Rey, Philosopher and Mathematician. Professor at the Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne and CNRS researcher. France. (TBC)
10.45 am – 11.15 am Coffee break
11.15 am – 12.15 pm Panel: CAN SCIENCE LEAD US TO TRUTH AND BY WHICH ROUTE?
- Chair: (TBC)
- Prof. Bernard Schumacher, Professor of Philosophy and Ethics at the Université de Fribourg. Switzerland. (TBC)
- Msgr. James P. Shea, President of the University of Mary. United States of America. (TBC)
- Questions & discussion
12.15 pm – 1.00 pm Lecture: IS THERE AN OBJECTIVE LAW OF NATURE?
- Chair: (TBC)
- Prof. Rémi Brague, Emeritus Professor of Medieval and Arabic Philosophy at the Université Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne. Holder of the Chair Romano Guardini at the Ludwig-Maximilian-Universität of Munich. Member of the Institut de France. France. (TBC)
1.00 pm – 2.30 pm Lunch break
2.30 pm – 3.15 pm Lecture: ETHICS OF THE SITUATION OR IN THE SITUATION? HOW TO ESTABLISH MORAL TRUTH IN BIOETHICAL ACTION
- Chair: Prof. Elena Postigo, Academic Director of the International Chair of Bioethics Jérôme Lejeune. Corresponding Member of the Pontifical Academy for Life. Spain.
- Prof. Adriano Pessina, Former Full Professor of Moral Philosophy at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore of Milan. Ordinary Member of the Pontifical Academy for Life. Italy. (TBC)
3.15 pm – 4.45 pm Panel: TRUTH AND MEDICAL DEONTOLOGY: THE CASE OF GENETIC COUNSELING
- Chair: Prof. Julio Tudela, Director of the Observatorio de Bioética at the Universidad Católica de Valencia. Spain. (TBC)
- Prof. Teresa Perucho Alcalde, Clinical and Molecular Geneticist of the Unit of Genomic Medicine at Clínica Universidad de Navarra. Spain. (TBC)
- Prof. Emmanuel Sapin, Professor Emeritus of Pediatric and Neonatal Surgery at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire CHU de Dijon. France.
- Representative from Catholic Medical Association, United States of America. (TBC)
- Questions and discussion
4.45 pm – 5.15 m Coffee break
5.15 pm – 6.30 pm Panel: TRUTH AND CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION
- Chair: (TBC)
- Mr. Grégor Puppinck, PhD, Director of the European Centre for Law and Justice (ECLJ). France.
- Representative from the EPPC, United States of America. (TBC)
- Questions & Discussion
End of the first day.
8.30 am – 9.30 am Registration
9.30 am – 10.15 am Lecture: THE TRUTH ABOUT MAN: IS THE MAN AN ANIMAL LIKE ANY OTHER?
- Chair: (TBC)
- Prof. Jean-Marie Meyer, Professor of Philosophy and Ethics at the Institut de Philosophie Comparée (IPC). France. (TBC)
10.15 am – 11.30 am Panel: THE TRUTH AT THE BEGINNING OF HUMANITY: THE CREATION OF THE WORLD AND THE APPEARANCE OF MAN ON EARTH
- Chair: (TBC)
- Prof. Michael D. Taylor, Philosopher, Thomas More College of Liberal Arts. Author of the award-winning The Foundations of Nature: Metaphysics of Gift for an Integral Ecological Ethic. United States of America.
- Mr. Olivier Bonnassies, Entrepreneur, graduate of Polytechnique and Theology from the Institut Catholique de Paris. Author of God, Science, the Proofs. France.
- Questions and discussion
11.30 am – 11.45 am Break
11.45 am – 12.30 pm Lecture: JÉRÔME LEJEUNE: WHEN THE PURSUIT OF TRUTH MAKES SCIENCE ADVANCE
- Chair: (TBC)
- Mr. Jean-Marie Le Méné, President of the Fondation Jérôme Lejeune. Ordinary Member of the Pontifical Academy for Life. France.
12.30 pm – 1.00 pm Closing speech
- Prof. Mónica López Barahona, President of the International Chair of Bioethics Jérôme Lejeune. Ordinary Member of the Pontifical Academy for Life. Spain.
End of the Conference.
Registration
When?
May 30th – 31st, 2025
Attention: Save the date, we recommend an early planning of your trip as 2025 has been declarated Jubilee Year in Rome and accomodations, flights and other reservations will be in high demand.
Follow us online!
You can connect online through the following link. If prompted for a meeting code and password upon entry, we provide the information:
- Meeting ID: 862 2946 2936
- Access code: 425371
Additionally, you can choose the language in which to follow the sessions on the bottom toolbar. They will be available in Spanish, French, English, or Italian.
Where?
Pontificio Istituto Patristico Augustinianum
Via Paolo VI, 25
Rome (Italy)
Prices
Registration required.
Until March 31st: €30
Starting April 1st: €50
Online attendance: €10
Practical Information
Download useful information on how to get to the congress, how to access the downtown, information on restaurants, bus schedules, etc…
Organizing Committee
Mr. Jean-Marie Le Méné, President of the Fondation Jérôme Lejeune. Ordinary Member of the Pontifical Academy for Life. France.
Prof. López Barahona, Mónica, President of the International Chair of Bioethics Jérôme Lejeune. Ordinary Member of the Pontifical Academy for Life. Spain.
Ms. Aude Dugast, Academic Director of the International Chair of Bioethics Jérôme Lejeune, French section. General Manager of the Association des Amis du Pr. Lejeune. France.
Mr. Grégoire François-Dainville, General Manager of the Fondation Jérôme Lejeune. France.
Prof. Elena Postigo, Academic Director of the International Chair of Bioethics Jérôme Lejeune, Spanish section. Corresponding Member of the Pontifical Academy for Life. Spain.
Mr. Pablo Siegrist, General Manager of the Jérôme Lejeune Foundation. Spain.
Ms. Rafaela de la Brena, Education Coordinator of the International Chair of Bioethics Jérôme Lejeune, Spanish section. Spain.
Ms. Laura Gotti Tedeschi, Education Coordinator of the International Chair of Bioethics Jérôme Lejeune, English and Italian section. Spain.
Sponsors
Partners
SPONSORS:
Fondation Jérôme Lejeune, France
Nicholas Cardinal Cheong Graduate School for Life, The Catholic University of Korea, Korea
PARTNERS:
We are looking for sponsors,
do you want to collaborate?
The International Chair of Bioethics Jérôme Lejeune is looking for companies, associations and individuals who wish to collaborate in the organization of the upcoming 3rd International Bioethics Conference.
Would you like to join us? Send us an email to contacto@fundacionlejeune.es with the subject “Sponsor 3rd International Bioethics Conference” and we will contact you.
Many thanks for your help!