title: [A nuclear document in the central core of the moral debates of our time].
abstract: We summarize the contents of the Instruction Dignitas personae and briefly attempt to explain why we find ourselves before an impossible debate when we talk about human life, its conception and reception. We will also try to provide some light as we try to escape this cul de sac so characteristic in the moral discussions of our time. To do so, we seek the help of the moral philosopher, Alasdair MacIntyre, whose life's work makes him especially suited to identifying the anthropological paradoxes that we are facing nowadays and which are very much related to the different issues mentioned in the Instruction.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Anatomía, Histología y Neurociencia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, c/ Arzobispo Morcillo, s/n. 28029 Madrid. josemanuel.gimenezamaya@uam.es
authors.forename: José Manuel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Giménez Amaya
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000941:ethics; D033421:Beginning of Human Life; D026688:Bioethical Issues; D002410:Catholicism; D034462:Dissent and Disputes; D033041:Embryo Research / Q000941:ethics; D026689:Ethical Analysis; D005260:Female; D005821:Genetic Techniques / Q000941:ethics; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009014:Morals; D009040:Motion Pictures; D028723:Personhood; D010684:Philosophy / Q000266:history; D011247:Pregnancy; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted / Q000941:ethics; D012606:Scotland; D026712:Value of Life