To the
members of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences
THE TERRIBLE SCOURGE OF CANCER
23 October 1986
Mr. President,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
For the third time in its history,
the Pontifical Academy of Sciences directs its attention towards cancer, an
illness that destroys the organism of a great number of human beings and is
terrifying in the diversity of its forms.
In 1948 a study week was devoted to
"The Biological Problems of Cancer". In 1977 another study week
researched "The Role of Non-specific Immunity in the Prevention and
Treatment of Cancer". At the present meeting you have chosen the theme
"Molecular Mechanisms of Carcinogenic Anti-tumour
Activity".
The working group gathered this week
in the Pontifical Academy of Sciences is composed of renowned scientists from
around the world, who have devoted their activity to investigate, at the most
fundamental level, the origins of cancer, the means to cure it and, if
possible, the ways to prevent it.
You are coming from the most
developed countries, which have the material means of conducting research at
such a fundamental level and on such a large scale. The benefits of your work
are, however, destined for all the world.
The particular feature of this
working group is to combine, in the same exploration and discussion, the
mechanism of action of carcinogenic and anti-tumour
agents, those which cause the terrible disease and those which help to cure it.
The discussions thus bear on the suffering of man, but also on his efforts to
find a remedy for it.
Another striking feature of this
working group is that it tries to go into the very fundamentals of the problem
by investigating the molecular mechanisms of the events which are responsible
for the action of the carcinogenic and anti-tumour
agents.
I wish to express my gratitude to
the Pontifical Academy for having chosen such an important and urgent theme. I
also thank the eminent scientists who have vigorously worked during these days.
May your research achieve the results necessary to defeat this terrible scourge
which is cancer.
God bless you and your families.