Published in the Journal of Religion and Health, a Q1 Scopus-indexed journal under Springer Nature, the paper titled delves into the medical potential and moral considerations of gene editing technologies like CRISPR-Cas9. These tools offer promising treatment avenues for rare conditions prevalent in the Philippines, such as Hereditary Tyrosinemia Type I, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, and Hunter Syndrome.

Authored by Dr. Mary Anne Chiong (Faculty of Medicine and Surgery) and Dr. Allan Basas (Institute of Religion), the study begins with a clear and accessible overview of gene editing, presenting its transformative capabilities in combating these genetic disorders. The researchers used the three aforementioned diseases as case studies to highlight the real-world implications of scientific innovation in a local context.

But the paper goes beyond biology. Rooted in the Catholic doctrine of Imago Dei鈥攖he belief that every human is made in the image of God鈥攖he authors explore the ethical and theological implications of gene editing. They draw a firm distinction between somatic gene editing, which targets individual patients for therapeutic purposes, and germline editing, which alters DNA in a way that can be passed to future generations鈥攔aising complex moral questions.

Utilizing the See-Judge-Act framework, a staple of Catholic social teaching, the study provides a structured ethical evaluation of gene editing in light of Church doctrine on human dignity. It calls for thoughtful application of science that not only heals but honors the sacredness of life. The authors emphasize that while gene editing holds immense medical promise, it also carries a profound ethical duty. Science, they argue, must always remain grounded in faith and directed toward the service of human dignity and the common good.

In a nation where disparities in healthcare are significant and religion plays a central societal role, the study calls for a united effort among government leaders, healthcare professionals, and faith communities. Strengthening the implementation of the Rare Disease Act and ethically guided investments in gene therapy could revolutionize care for the most vulnerable members of society. Ultimately, this paper is more than a scientific exploration鈥攊t鈥檚 a moral call to action. It asks us to consider how we care for those most in need, with compassion, justice, and an unwavering commitment to life.

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Rated with Four Stars are Good Governance and the Doctor of Medicine program, which was named UST’s qualifying program for the Specialist Criteria. Meanwhile, Arts and Academic Development were rated Three Stars.

UST first submitted itself to the QS Stars rating scheme in 2014, earning four stars. In 2021, it earned the coveted 5 Stars rating. To date, UST is the sole Philippine higher education institution with the rating.

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For the Modern Languages subject, UST was in the 301-350 bracket, scoring 61.7 in Employability and 59.2 in Academic Reputation, which is tied to Research and Discovery.

For Medicine, UST remained one of the world鈥檚 top medical schools, at the 701-850 bracket. It scored highest in citations per paper (57.8), followed by employer reputation (55.5), H-index citations (45.8), academic reputation (39.8), and international research network (35.9). Medicine has consistently been UST鈥檚 flagship program in the QS Rankings, having been ranked since before the pandemic.

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Faculty of Medicine and Surgery Assistant Dean Prof. Remedios D. Chan, MD, MHPEd, said in her message that the collaboration of the three academic units aimed to produce groundbreaking research works that push the boundaries of knowledge in hopes of paving the way to real-life solutions to society in the field of health sciences.

“When we combine our diverse perspectives and expertise, we are unlocking new possibilities and accelerating discovery,” Dr. Chan said.

RCHS is the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery’s research arm that envisioned itself as a hub for interdisciplinary, collaborative, and socially relevant research in medical education.

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Likewise, the University was ranked at #2 nationwide. Medicine is among the 13 program areas designated as Centers of Excellence, alongside programs like Pharmacy, Medical Technology, Nursing, and Psychology.

THE World University Rankings by Subject graded the schools鈥� performance in each field based on teaching (29.5%), research environment (29%), research quality (30%), international outlook (7.5%), and industry (4%).

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The Anarygroi FMS Foundation, Inc. and Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, in partnership with the City of Manila Local Government Unit, invite you to its inaugural historic fun run called “Run Through the Past, Race for the Future!” on March 30, 2025, from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m.

To register, you may visit the Anargyroi: FMS Foundation, Inc. office, Room 118 of the St. Martin de Porres Building, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Monday to Friday and from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday.

You may also register online by scanning the QR code on the poster or using this link: https://racetechph.com/鈥�/run-through-the-past-race-for.

As you explore the history of UST, you are also helping people in need because the proceeds of this marathon will be earmarked in support of the indigent patients of Manila.

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Dr. Papa, who leads the three-year project which began in July 2024, said that the project aims to 鈥渋solate bacteriophages infecting various clinical strains of A. baumanni collected from different hospitals and to produce a working prototype of phage formulation鈥攃omposed of characterized bacteriophages that show high viability for therapeutic use.鈥� In particular, the study aims at potential intravenous administration of the treatment using bacteriophages, which are a group of viruses aimed at targeting bacteria.

So far, the team has collaborated with ARSP sentinel sites and tertiary hospitals to collect water samples and doing enrichment set-ups and testing the filtrates. The team also procured necessary equipment, which will be transferred soon to the UST-Dr. Tony Tan Caktiong Innovation Center in Santa Rosa, Laguna.

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Within various technical panels are Thomasian academics and researchers, namely:

ACCOUNTANCY

1. Prof. Patricia M. Empleo, PhD

BIOLOGY, Molecular Biology, and Microbiology

1. Prof. Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz, Dr. rer. Nat.
2. Prof. Rey Donne S. Papa, PhD
3. Prof. John Donnie A. Ramos, PhD

CHEMISTRY

1. Academician Professor Emeritus Maribel G. Nonato, PhD
2. Assoc. Prof. Oliver B. Villaflores, PhD

FINE ARTS

1. Assoc. Prof. Eric B. Zerrudo, PhD

FOREIGN LANGUAGES

1. Prof. Marilu R. Madrunio, PhD (Chair)
2. Prof. Camilla D.J. Vizconde, PhD

GRADUATE TEACHER EDUCATION

1. Prof. Camilla D.J. Vizconde, PhD

LITERATURE

1. Prof. John Jack G. Wigley, PhD

MARINE SCIENCE

1. Prof. Mary Beth B. Maningas, PhD

MATHEMATICS

1. Prof. Ma. Carlota B. Decena, PhD

MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

1. Prof. Ma. Freida Z. Hapan, PhD

MEDICINE

1. Prof. Ma. Minerva P. Calimag, MD, PhD

MUSIC

1. Assoc. Prof. Dolores T. Andres, PhD

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

1. Asst. Prof. Kathlene Anne V. Hernandez, MHPEd

OPEN AND DISTANCE LEARNING

1. Assoc. Prof. Ma. Ninia I. Calaca, MA, MAPhl
2. Prof. Belen L. Tangco, PhD

PHARMACY

1. Prof. Aleth Therese L. Dacanay, PhD (Chair)

PHILOSOPHY

1. Prof. Robert A. Monta帽a, PhD

PHYSICAL THERAPY

1. Prof. Cheryl R. Peralta, DrPH

PHYSICS

1. Assoc. Prof. Angelita Silverio, MS (ret.)

REAL ESTATE

1. Prof. Eduardo G. Ong, PhD

SOCIOLOGY

1. Prof. Clarence M. Batan, PhD
2. Asst. Prof. Louie Benedict R. Ignacio, PhD

SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY

1. Inst. Elinor Bautista
2. Asst. Prof. Judith S. Damian, MS (ret.)

The newly reconstituted technical panels will have a four-year term beginning on January 1, 2025 and ending on December 31, 2028.

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The discussion, moderated by Professor Linfa Wang of Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School and Dr. Lee Fok Kay of Temasek Foundation, Singapore, delved into what it takes to be ready for the next pandemic. Bergantin and her co-panelists stressed the importance of convincing governments and leaders of the ASEAN groups that the knowledge base gained during the COVID-19 pandemic is a vital resource worth sharing to the general public. Bergantin recalled the collaboration between the government and professional associations during the pandemic. A case in point was the preparation of COVID-19 guidelines prepared by the Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, whose inputs helped craft policies during the onslaught of the dreaded virus.

The panel included Indonesia鈥檚 Dr. Darmawali Handoko, Medical Services Deputy Director Prof. Derrick Heng, Thailand鈥檚 Mahidol University Prof. Prassert Auewarakul, and Malaysia鈥檚 Tropical Diseases Research and Education Center Executive Director Prof. Dr. Sazaly bin Abu Bakar.

Bergantin also added that a sound pandemic preparedness policy requires the participation of not just scientists and government leaders, but also economists, vulnerable groups, and community members. In an interview with the Communications Bureau, Bergantin said that: 鈥淚 am just thankful that aside from teaching, I have been included in various clinical practice guideline creation and health technology assessment thus I have first hand experience in policy-making (recommendation), which I have just realized when I was asked to join the panel. I may not hold a degree in public health but working for the Filipinos in my capacity from the academe, together with other specialists from UST who are regularly consulted by the government based on their expertise, the Thomasian spirit of competence, compassion and commitment truly burns bright.鈥�

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bergantin joined fellow doctors and healthcare professionals in the UST Hospital to save lives amidst the strictest of mobility restrictions. Look at her COVID-19-focused interview with the Communications Bureau here: 

The congress drew over 300 onsite participants and was supported by Temasek Foundation, Singapore.

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Leading the new batch of Thomasian licensed physicians are:

#2 – Dr. Rolter Lorenz M. Lee – 89.25%

#5 – Dr. Kiel Christian D. Alday – 88.83%

#10 – Dr. Chelseah Denise H. Torres – 87.67%

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