Director: prof. Massimo Antonelli
The University Centre of Bioethics and Sciences of Life is the fruit of the union between the University Centre of Bioethics and University Centre for Life.
In the Catholic University, research in the field of bioethics began officially in 1985 with the institution of the Bioethics Centre in the “A. Gemelli” Faculty of Medicine and Surgery in the Roman seat of the University by the then Rector, Prof. Adriano Bausola, who appointed Monsignor Elio Sgreccia as Director. The Milan section, coordinated by Prof. Adriano Pessina, opened in February 1997. In 2006, Prof. Adriano Pessina succeeded Monsignor Sgreccia as Director of the Centre, the latter having reached the age of retirement.
In 2007, the Centre became the University Centre, with a central seat in Largo Gemelli 1, Milan. Prof. Adriano Pessina was appointed Director of the University Centre of Bioethics for three consecutive four-year mandates (2006-2010, 2011-2014, 2014-2018).
At the meeting of 24 September 2018, the Committee of Directors of the University Centre of Bioethics pronounced in favour of the proposal by the University Centre for Life, with seat in Rome, to bring the two Centres together, and deliberated a new name: the University Centre of Bioethics and Sciences of Life. These proposals were approved by the relevant academic organs.
This combination of the structures was intended to reinforce the scientific-cultural activities performed by the two University Centres, giving greater prominence to the initiatives implemented, as well as to enhance the range of skills available, while maintaining an operational dialogue between the seats of Rome and Milan.
The University Centre of Bioethics and Sciences of Life performs activities of scientific research, examining the ethical questions raised by the development of technology and of medical and biological science, as well as the themes of philosophical anthropology, ethical medicine and the philosophy of medicine and health. It intends, moreover, to analyse the legal issues involved in the area of bio-politics and bio-legislation.
The University Centre of Bioethics and Sciences of Life promotes research activities, educational courses, conferences, congresses and meetings dedicated to questions relating to bioethics.
The University Centre of Bioethics and Sciences of Life operates according to a secular methodology corresponding to the conviction that bioethics, whoever cultivates or practices it, must continue to be an endeavour of a philosophical nature, able to interpret the anthropological and moral problems arising from technical and scientific development, as well as from medical practice.