The Church keeps a close watch on scientific discoveries through its committee on Science and Human Values. The role of the committee is to identify areas where ethical discussion is necessary to advance the common good. The committee enters into dialogue with scientists to understand new developments and isolate ethical issues and has issued public statements about topics such as global population, genetic testing, genetic screening, death and dying, cloning, stem cell research, genetic modification in plants, evolution, and the relationship of brain, mind, and spirit. As new reproductive and genetic technologies develop, the Church is continually challenged to define the moral course of the Catholic community.

For instance, the Vatican has spoken out against human cloning and euthanasia. It says the use of stem cells from aborted fetuses and human embryos is clearly wrong, but it endorses the use of stem cells from adults for medical advances. It urges caution in xenotransplantation — the use of animal organs to prolong human life. In regard to genetic engineering and modification, the Church warns against concentrating the patents for the gene pools of plants and animals in the hands of a few rich nations. It also states that genetic modification should not proceed until we can establish that it will not harm God's creation.