Justo Aznar, founder of the UCV Life Sciences Institute, dies

Justo Aznar Lucia, Director of the Bioethics Observatory And Founder of the Institute of Life Sciences of the Catholic University of Valencia (UCV), has He died in Valencia at the age of 84. Doctor of Medicine with an exceptional award from the University of Navarra, he held the first chair of bioethics in the Valencian community, established by the Royal Academy of Medicine.

that it Scientific and research work was recognized By awarding various prizes such as the “Alberto Sols” for the best research work in the health sciences in 1998, the “Santiago Grisolía” award for the best research work, and in June 2006 the “Health and Society” award for the best “professional profession” of the Valencian Community awarded by The Department of Health of that Autonomous Community, or ‘Professional Job’ award given by the Valencia College of Physicians in 2013.

It was Aznar Head of the Department of Clinical Biology at the University Hospital of La Vie de Valencia since 1974 Until his retirement in July 2006. He has published more than 500 research papers in the field of biomedicine, of which about 300 are in high-profile scientific journals. In the same field, he directed 20 doctoral theses and published 30 book chapters. He has published in the field of bioethics 58 research papers and 4 theses in bioethics.

After his retirement, he started the Bioethics Observatory, within the Life Sciences Institute, which Created and directed from the beginning of UCV, which has become a bioethics center for research and scientific publishing in the life sciences environment.

Christian Humanism and Scientific Excellence

Dr. Aznar Also known for his tireless defense of life, Promote and chair some initiatives for this purpose, such as the Spanish Federation of Pro-Life Associations – of which he was president for 21 years, from 1977 to 1998 – or the Valencia Defense of Life Association, which he also directed for 33 years, from 1979 to 2012. In addition, he was Member of the Family and Life Subcommittee of the Spanish Episcopal Conference and since 2005 he is a corresponding member of the Pontifical Academy of Life.

At a time when there are many advances in medicine and related sciences, but successive and very serious ethical problems such as stem cells, surrogacy, egg freezing or euthanasia, Aznar has put his rigor and scientific excellence at the service of truth and human dignity. Its unique path is undoubtedly a fortress and a beacon for many researchers who assert that the fruits of faith and reason go together.

The The Universidad Católica de Valencia expresses its deepest condolences and gratitude to his family For Justo Aznar, a reference in his perpetual search for truth with an extraordinary human quality, leaving a void in the university community.

Tomorrow will be the funeral of his eternal rest Monday November 29 at 12:00 in the Diocese of San Jose Maria (Cali San Clemente, 14, Valencia).