Turning Individuals into Raw Material for Research is a Regression of Humanity

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Joseph of Catholic Interest posted on pending legislation and debates in the Congress on stem cell research bills.

"The pursuit for more speculative, technical progress that turn individuals into raw material for research is a regression of humanity, the American bishops told the U.S. Senate."

Cardinal William Keeler of Baltimore said that the measure, the “Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act,” violates a “decades-long policy against forcing taxpayers to support the destruction of early human life.”

“Federal funds would promote research using ‘new’ embryonic stem cell lines, encouraging researchers to destroy countless human embryos to provide more cell lines and qualify for federal grants,” the cardinal said. “However, no alleged future ‘promise’ can justify promoting the destruction of innocent human life here and now, whatever its age or condition.”

In indicating the U.S. bishops’ support for “Alternative Pluripotent Stem Cell Therapies Enhancement Act” (S. 2754), Cardinal Keeler said the bill serves the “important goal” to funding research to find ways to obtain stem cells that have the capabilities and versatility of “embryonic stem cells but are not obtained from a human embryo.” He added that this may include stem cells from adult tissues or umbilical cord blood.

The cardinal said that the “Fetus Farming Prohibition Act” (S. 3504) is needed “to prevent the most egregious abuse” of growing human embryos in a human or animal uterus in an effort to “harvest” stem cells for therapeutic usage. Read More