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(Condensed from an article by Tony Magliano) Because the Catholic Church opposes the destruction of human embryos for their stem cells, it is often falsely portrayed as standing in the way of all stem-cell research. However, according to the National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia, the church supports three of the four ways that stem-cell research currently is conducted: 1. Adult stem-cell research, involving the growth of stem cells from the patient's own tissue or that of another living donor. 2. Stem cells developed from umbilical cord blood or placentas after delivery is completed. 3. Cells from fetal tissue derived from miscarriages as long as the parents give informed consent. 4. Only the use of embryonic stem cells, usually harvested from living embryos five to seven days after their creation in a test tube, is morally unacceptable because it involves the killing of a human being. Catholic doctrine states that direct killing of innocent human beings is a lways gravely immoral. Even if stem cells taken from destroyed human embryos proved helpful in treating disease— and that's a big if — Catholic teaching would still forbid their use. A good end does not justify an evil means. Stem cells are largely unspecialized cells that reproduce themselves and make a variety of specialized cells needed by the body. Many peopleв Ђ” including numerous politicians and journalistsв Ђ” believe that the best hope for people with serious diseases and injuries is embryonic stem-cell research. This is absolutely untrue! The hyped-up claim made by proponents of embryonic stem-cell research is that stem cells taken from destroyed human embryos are superior to adult stem cells. But Richard M. Doerflinger, associate director of the U.S. bishops' Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities, says, "Embryonic stem-cells have never helped a human patient, and any claim that they may someday do so is guesswork." Furthermore, Tulane University research professor Brian Butcher warns, "With embryonic stem cells a significant number become cancer cells, so the cure could be worse than the disease." On the other hand, according to "Do No Harm: The Coalition of Americans for Research Ethics" (www.stemcellresearch.org), advances in alternatives to embryonic stem-cell research have already proven remarkably helpful in treating 58 serious medical conditions. Sickle Cell Anemia and other blood disorders have been successfully treated with umbilical-cord-blood stem cells. Adult stem cells have been used for spina l cord regeneration and retina repairs. And new corneas have been grown from patients' own stem cells. Despite these successful and ethical advances, many wealthy biotechnology companies are pressuring Congress and state legislatures for funding of embryonic stem-cell research. Why? Because these companies stand to make a fortune from taxpayer funded research! Ignoring the immorality of killing human embryos for their stem cells, the U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the "Stem-Cell Research Enhancement Act," designed to provide taxpayer funding for embryonic stem-cell research. To his credit, President George W. Bush has threatened to veto this legislation if passed by the Senate. However, a veto override is possible. Therefore, it is very important to contact your two U.S. senators urging them to vote against the "Stem-Cell Research Enhancement Act." |