title: [Italy of miracles. Does the renaissaince of Italian science pass by the Vatican?].
abstract: In a commentary published in The Lancet on January 2016, Giuseppe Remuzzi and Richard Horton, analyse the origin of the decline of the Italian primacy in biomedical science. Among the others, the existence of Italian political groups «which oppose science simply to please the Church and to achieve political gain» was considered as detrimental for advancing research in such areas as assisted reproduction or embryonic stem cell research. Some hope for a change is raised, in the opinion of Remuzzi and Horton, by the more open attitude toward science of pope Francis. Hence, the two authors conclude that the time has come to promote a dialogue between Italian scientists and the Vatican and, by that, to see «if conditions are ripe to create a renaissance in Italian intellectual life». I humbly challange the analyses and conclusions of Remuzzi and Horton on the Italian scientific decline and the possible way forward. The rooth of the Italian decline in science are deep-seated into the chronic lack of resources, into the under-development of academic institutions, and into the lack of motivations for young researchers. As for bioethical paradigms, they are the end result of a co-production between social norms and scientific development, and their definition would ideally involve the participation of large sectors of the society. One example of such a process is offered by the "Les Etats généraux de la bioéthique" in France in 2009. The ethical discussion concerning biotech innovations is not limited to theological issues, but involves social aspects such as public health priorities, equity, and information strategies to avoid creating unrealistic expectations.
authors.affiliation: Centro Studi GISED; USC Dermatologia, Azienda Ospedaliera papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo.
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Naldi
mesh_terms: D026688:Bioethical Issues; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000941:ethics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D002410:Catholicism; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D011057:Politics; D012068:Religion and Medicine; D012070:Religion and Science