VATICAN (CWNews.com) -- Pope John Paul II has firmly condemned the techniques of artificial reproduction which entail the elimination of human fetus.

    Speaking on April 3 to 3,500 people attending an international conference on "the fetus as patient," the Holy Father remarked that "some techniques of artificial reproduction, ostensibly in the service of life, actually open the door to new attacks on life." The conference which the Pope addressed was organized by the obstetrical institute at the Sapienza University in Rome.

    The Pontiff went on to say that artificial-reproduction techniques can be "morally unacceptable" when they "separate procreation from the fully human context of the conjugal act," as well as when they cause the destruction of unborn children.

    A particularly objectionable technique of reproduction, the Pope continued, is the "selective reduction" of multiple pregnancies-- that is, the abortion of one fetus or more in cases of multiple pregnancy. He went on to say that such abortions, while gravely wrong in cases when the multiple pregnancy occurred by natural means, are still more heinous when the multiple pregnancy is the result of deliberate efforts.

    However, the Pope went on to say that the life of an unborn human must be respected fully, regardless of how the pregnancy occurred. However the conception took place, he said, the unborn child should be accorded "the dignity that he possesses from the moment of his conception."