From: Dennis Poust
Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2007 1:32 PM
To: Dennis Poust
Subject: Catholic Conference statement on stem cell breakthrough
Catholic Conference hails stem cell breakthrough,
urges state funding be directed toward this new research
The New York State Catholic Conference hailed the breakthrough announced today by stem cell researchers from
“Today marks the dawn of a new age for ethical scientific research and discovery. This breakthrough announced in two scientific journals appears to solve the ethical dilemmas of embryonic stem cell research and human cloning by eliminating the need for them. Instead, by simply adding four genes to an existing skin cell, the cell can be reprogrammed as a ‘pluripotent’ stem cell. The process appears to be easier, more cost efficient, scientifically promising and morally untroubling.
“Beyond the fact that scientists will no longer need to create and destroy human embryos in a laboratory setting, the new process eliminates the need for donor eggs and the potential exploitation of poor women that could entail. Further, it appears that medical issues such as tissue rejection would not be a factor. This may be the best possible outcome for people who yearn for cures of chronic diseases and disabilities. Much work needs to be done, but it seems clear that the hurdles will be much easier to overcome than those that continue to plague embryo research and cloning.
“The Catholic Conference urges the Empire State Stem Cell Board, created by Gov. Spitzer and the state legislature earlier this year, to direct all state funding that would have gone to destructive embryo research and cloning into research utilizing this new procedure, which can make our state a leader in the field. At the same time, we continue to fully support funding for research on 'adult' stem cells, which already have many valuable therapeutic uses in the treatment of disease and disability.
“The Conference congratulates those in the scientific community who have pursued this life-saving research, which should put an end to any scientific justification for embryo-destructive research and the cloning of human beings.”
The Catholic Conference represents New York State’s Bishops in matters of public policy.
Alleluia! Rejoice and Be Glad. Many miracles abound on the Feast of Christ the King. There is no reason to create life to destroy it.
Posted by: Eileen Peterson | November 24, 2007 at 07:44 PM