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Home | WFF History | Join/Donate | Current Voices | Liturgical Calendar | What's New | Affirmation | James Hitchcock's Column | Church Documents | Search | Liturgy information - go to adoremus.org
Stem Cell Research Section
updated 05/08/2008
Statements | Documents | Links | Other Post - Articles, news, etc.
Wisconsin Catholic Bishops: April 2008
Serving All and Sacrificing None:
Ethical Stem Cell Research Resources -- Click title for the links to the press release, statement, DVD and q&aUSCCB: Statement of US Bishops on New Stem-cell Breakthrough, November 20, 2007
USCCB: Cardinal Rigali Commends President Bush for Veto of Destructive Embryo Research Bill, June 20, 2007
USCCB: USCCB Official Comments on Approval of Bill to Fund Stem Cell Research Requiring the Destruction of Human Embryos, June 7, 2007
USCCB: Cardinal Rigali Urges House To Reject Two Federal Bills Promoting Taxpayer-Funded Destruction Of Human Embryos 6/6/07
North Carolina:A call to action -- Bishop Jugis, Bishop Burbidge call on N.C. Catholics to fight embryonic stem-cell research legislation & Bishop Michael F. Burbidge Asks Catholics to Become Informed on Stem Cell Issue 1/16/2007
Missouri Passes Constitutional Right to Human Cloning - November 8, 2006 -- Missouri Catholic Conference
ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI TO THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE SYMPOSIUM ON THE THEME: "STEM CELLS: WHAT FUTURE FOR THERAPY?" ORGANIZED BY THE PONTIFICAL ACADEMY FOR LIFE, Hall of the Swiss, Castel Gandolfo, Saturday, 16 September 2006
Document of the Holy See on Human Cloning
Links:
Don't sign a life away
Missouri Catholic Conference
Missourians against Human Cloning
Rosary Crusade
Stem Cell Research Facts
MO Cures without CloningOther Post - Articles, news, etc.
Posted May 8, 2008
Ethical stem cell research
Wisconsin Catholic bishops issue letter
The Catholic Herald online, May 1, 2008Posted October 5, 2007
Stem-Cell Briefing Sent to Catholic Homes: Michigan Bishops Aim to Educate the Faithful -- Zenit, October 3, 2007
A packet of information about the Church's stance on stem cells is being delivered to every Catholic home in Michigan that's registered with a parish.
A letter signed by the state's diocesan bishops, a 12-minute DVD, and a brochure explaining the Church's support for adult stem cell research are being sent out as part of the Michigan Catholic Conference's "The Science of Stem Cells: Finding Cures and Protecting Life" campaign.
Click title for complete story.
Posted September 10, 2007
The Word Game is Up; Time for a True Cloning Ban, by Colleen Carroll Campbell
Posted September 4, 2007
Missourians Launch Campaign to Prohibit Human Cloning: Initiative Would Protect Proven Cures and Treatments, Michaelmas 2007, Vol. XXII, No. 3
Posted August 22, 2007
http://www.mocureswithoutcloning.com/
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Curt Mercadante
August 22, 2007 (314) 825-4478Missourians Launch Campaign to Prohibit Human Cloning
Initiative Would Protect Proven Cures and Treatments
JEFFERSON CITY, MO – A coalition of concerned Missouri citizens, doctors, and academics today launched the “Cures Without Cloning” (CWC) initiative to prohibit human cloning in Missouri. Dr. Lori Buffa, of St. Peters, Missouri, filed proposed ballot language with the Secretary of State’s office this morning.
“The Missouri Constitution currently allows for human cloning. It allows for the same cloning method that created Dolly the Sheep,” said Dr. Buffa, who serves as chair of CWC. “This initiative will ensure this dangerous, unproven, unnecessary practice is prohibited, and allow us to focus on safe research that leads to lifesaving cures and treatments.”
The initiative would amend the Missouri Constitution to prohibit the practice of human cloning, and would prohibit taxpayer funding of human cloning experiments. Specifically, the coalition is seeking to place the following language in the Missouri constitution:
Section 38(e) 1. It shall be unlawful to clone or attempt to clone a human being. Researchers may conduct stem cell research to discover cures for disease and develop stem cell therapies and cures, provided that the research complies with the limitations of this section and, in addition, the limitations of Section 38(d).
2. For all purposes within this constitution:
(1) “Clone or attempt to clone a human being” includes the creation of or the attempt to create, by means other than fertilization of a human egg with human sperm, a new human organism that is virtually identical genetically to an existing or previously existing human organism or human orgnisms.
(2) “Human organism” means human life in any stage. Human life begins with an initial stage, when a single human egg cell receives a complete set of forty-six chromosomes, and continues through any subsequent stages of embryonic, fetal, postnatal, and later development.
3. No taxpayer dollars shall be expended:
(1) to clone or attempt to clone a human being; or
(2) to research or experiment using a human organism, or any part of a human organism, derived from cloning or attempting to clone a human being.
“As a doctor, I have grave concerns about experimentation with human cloning. It is unproven, dangerous, and outside the mainstream of society,” said Dr. Buffa. “We should continue to search for cures and treatments using stem cell research. And we should embrace the exciting promise of cures and treatments that proven, safe research can bring - and we should do so by resoundingly rejecting the practice of human cloning.”
Cures without Cloning (CWC) is leading a broad-based, statewide coalition of grassroots organizations committed to prohibiting the cloning of human beings in Missouri. Interested citizens are invited to visit www.MOcureswithoutcloning.com for more information.
Posted June 12, 2007
Stem cell debate a question of conscience
By Cardinal George Pell
June 10, 2007 01:00am
Article from: News.com.au"The Catholic Church supports adult stem cell research and remains opposed to the destruction of human life at any stage after conception.
"Embryonic stem cell research requires such destruction.
"While I regret the Legislative Assembly passed the cloning bill and hope the Legislative Council will decide differently, we all accept the parliament makes the laws.
"Some supporters of the cloning bill made little attempt to argue that it was right to create and then destroy human embryos, but claimed that this evil was outweighed by the cures for diseases which would follow.
"This is not a justifiable line of argumentation, but the promised cures have nowhere materialised from embryos.
"Seventy-two diseases and conditions have been helped by stem cells, but they were all adult stem cells.
...
"A few intolerant politicians want to ban religious argument in public life, so that the only permissible reasoning will be irreligious or anti-religious.
"A few politicians, trumpeted their Catholicity as they publicly rejected Catholic teachings; this is not good logic.
...
"All Catholics who continue to reject important Catholic teachings - even in areas such as sexuality, family, marriage, abortion, euthanasia, cloning where "liberals" claim the primacy of conscience rules - should expect to be confronted, gently and consistently, rather than comforted and encouraged in their wrongdoing.
"Certainly, every Catholic politician who voted for this bill should think twice and examine his or her conscience before next receiving Communion.
Click title for the complete article
Posted April 13, 2007
AP in USA Today - Bush calls for 'culture of life'
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Bush, at the national Catholic prayer breakfast, stressed his opposition to easing restrictions on federally funded embryonic stem cell research, a reference to a bill he's threatened to veto.
"In our day there is a temptation to manipulate life in ways that do not respect the humanity of the person," Bush said Friday. "When that happens, the most vulnerable among us can be valued for their utility to others instead of their own inherent worth."
The Senate on Wednesday voted 63-34 to pass the measure that it hopes will lead to new medical treatments. The vote, however, fell short of a veto-proof margin needed to enact the law over Bush's objections. The House is expected to approve a similar measure in the weeks ahead.
"We must continue to work for a culture of life where the strong protect the weak and where we recognize in every human life the image of our creator," Bush said.
Posted April 11, 2007
Cardinal Rigali Urges Senate to Reject Stem Cell Legislation Promoting Destruction of Human Life
WASHINGTON (April 5, 2007)— As the U.S. Senate prepared to vote on federal funding of stem cell research next week, Cardinal Justin Rigali urged Senators to reject legislation (S. 5) which would promote the destruction of human embryos to obtain their stem cells. “With enactment of such legislation, federal law would for the first time force taxpayers to encourage deliberate attacks on innocent human life in the name of medical progress,” the Cardinal said.
Cardinal Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia, is Chairman of the Committee for Pro-Life Activities, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
In a letter to the Senate (April 4), Cardinal Rigali emphasized that the stem cell issue is not a matter of supporting versus opposing progress.
“The question is whether our technical progress is guided by an equally advanced sense of the dignity of each and every human life, so our technology becomes a servant to humanity and not our cruel master,” the Cardinal wrote. “As Pope Benedict XVI said to stem cell researchers in Rome last September, research that relies on ‘the planned suppression of human beings who already exist, even if they have not yet been born,’ is ‘not truly at the service of humanity.’”
“On a practical level, embryonic stem cell research has been as disappointing in its results as it has been divisive to our society,” Cardinal Rigali continued. “Problems such as uncontrollable growth and tumor formation have forced researchers to conclude that it may take a decade or more of very expensive research even to determine whether embryonic stem cells may someday be used to treat a human condition.” .... (rest of story on USCCB web site)
Posted April 4, 2007
Update: Missouri – Damage Control on Amendment 2
Last November 7, a proposal to amend the Missouri state Constitution to permit all stem cell research, passed by a very narrow margin. Many voters were not aware that the complex language of the proposed Amendment 2 would make it impossible to control support of this research -- specifically including embryonic stem-cell research -- and that they had just voted in favor of cloning for research. The Amendment narrowly defined cloning as the implantation of a cloned embryo for the purpose of “creating” a fully developed cloned human being. Thus the creation of cloned embryos in order to be destroyed for research purposes was fully permissible.
The narrow margin by which Missouri Amendment 2 passed (51%) after an intense and deceptive stem-cell industry advertising blitz in the months preceding the election, was largely due to a grassroots effort to inform Missouri voters of the actual implications of the Amendment. The Catholic bishops of Missouri, the Missouri State Catholic Conference, and Catholic pro-life individuals and organizations, strenuously opposed the amendment -- in statements, lectures, publications, and one-on-one conversations. An ad hoc group, Missourians Against Human Cloning, also formed to address the Amendment’s complicated and confusing language, particularly the deliberately misleading definition of cloning. After Amendment 2 was passed, efforts to address the serious loopholes in the Missouri Constitution were begun immediately.
In December, a Joint Resolution of the Senate and House was introduced by Senator Matt Bartle (R-Lee’s Summit) and Representative Jim Lembke (R-St. Louis) to provide a genuine ban on human cloning, known as HJR 11. (See text below) As the Missouri Catholic Conference stated on its web site: “Missouri citizens were stripped of their right to vote on a ban on human cloning through the deceptive language of Amendment 2 which allows human cloning in Missouri. HJR 11 will give voters the opportunity to vote on whether or nor to allow human cloning in Missouri without any deceptive language, and still support ethical stem cell research.
“No Human Cloning” rally, Resolution progress
On March 7th, about 1,000 people gathered in the Rotunda of the State Capitol to rally for a real ban on human cloning. The ""No Human Cloning Rally" was one of the largest ever held at the Capitol. Featured speakers were Senator Matt Bartle and Representative Jim Lembke, sponsors of legislation which would place before Missouri voters the opportunity to close the loopholes created by Amendment 2. Rep. Lembke announced his effort to move HJR 11 out of the Health Care Policy Committee where it had been stalled. Other speakers at the rally were St. Louis Archbishop Raymond Burke, Dr. David Prentice, Representative Belinda Harris, and Pastor Rick Scarborough.By March 27, there was promising news. HJR 11 was voted to “do pass” from the House Health Care Policy Committee where it had been stalled. It is now in the House Rules Committee, which can either send it back to the Health Care Policy Committee or affirm the “do pas” vote, and send it to the House floor for debate.
It is important that this Resolution go forward -- and not only for Missourians. The sweeping moral and ethical implications of the issues involved affect our entire society, and similar legislation involving experimentation on human embryos will inevitably surface in various forms throughout the country.
http://www.house.mo.gov/bills071/biltxt/intro/HJR0011I.htm
FIRST REGULAR SESSION
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 11
94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLYINTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES LEMBKE (Sponsor), BEARDEN, SANDER, MOORE, ONDER, DAVIS, EMERY, DIXON, NIEVES, WOOD, PORTWOOD, DAY, BROWN (30), SCHOELLER, MUNZLINGER, BIVINS, SMITH (150), DEEKEN, BAKER (123), COOPER (155), McGHEE, DENISON, ICET, MUSCHANY, KELLY, JONES (89), COX, RUZICKA, FRANZ, WRIGHT, LOEHNER, FISHER, KINGERY, SCHAD, FUNDERBURK, WELLS, POLLOCK, VIEBROCK, HARRIS (110), QUINN (9), STEVENSON, BRUNS, SCHIEFFER, SCHARNHORST, QUINN (7), SUTHERLAND, FAITH AND JONES (117) (Co-sponsors).
Read 1st time January 22, 2007 and copies ordered printed. - D. ADAM CRUMBLISS, Chief Clerk 0923L.02I
JOINT RESOLUTION
Submitting to the qualified voters of Missouri, an amendment to article III of the Constitution of Missouri relating to human cloning.
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring therein:
That at the next general election to be held in the state of Missouri, on Tuesday next following the first Monday in November, 2008, or at a special election to be called by the governor for that purpose, there is hereby submitted to the qualified voters of this state, for adoption or rejection, the following amendment to article III of the Constitution of the state of Missouri:
Section A. Article III, Constitution of Missouri, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 38(e), to read as follows:
Section 38(e). 1. The general assembly may enact laws concerning health care research, including controlling taxation, appropriations, and use of public resources for health care research, and regulating research that could pose a risk to human life or health.
2. It is unlawful to engage in human cloning. For the purposes of this section and section 38(d) of this article, "human cloning" means the creation of a human zygote, human blastocyst, or human embryo by any means other than the fertilization of a human egg by a human sperm.
3. The provisions of this section supersede any provision of section 38(d) of this article that is inconsistent with this section.
Posted January 8, 2007
SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION ON HUMAN CLONING FUNDING?
Your calls, letters and e-mails opposing taxpayer funding for human cloning and other unethical life science experiments are having their effect. Governor Matt Blunt has announced that he may call a special session to run concurrent with the regular session, which convenes January 3, 2007, to consider legislation to sell assets of the state student loan fund to provide funding for various life science projects on state college campuses. By calling this unheard of special session concurrent with the regular legislative session, Governor Blunt is seeking to head off the growing opposition to state funding for unethical life sciences experiments by moving quickly before the public's voice is heard.
The governor wants the legislature to approve the selling of $350 million in assets of the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority (MOHELA) for the construction of life science facilities at Missouri public universities. There are three basic reasons why this is a very bad idea.
1. Passage of Amendment 2 has robbed the legislature of the ability to make distinctions between life science research that is ethically acceptable, such as research with adult stem cells, and unethical experiments that involve human cloning or the destruction of human embryos. Consequently, if the legislature approves the MOHELA sale, the life science facilities developed will have to be open for both ethical and unethical life science ventures: human cloning and research that destroys early human life.
2. MOHELA' s mission is to provide affordable low-interest loans to college students. These loans are badly needed. The University of Missouri, for example, has the highest tuition of any Big 12 school. Part of its historic mission is to provide access to higher education to a wide sector of Missouri citizens. Selling the MOHELA assets makes higher education less accessible to Missouri families.
3. MOHELA's assets have been built up by the customers it serves - college students paying off loans for attendance at both public and private universities like St. Louis University and Rockhurst University in Kansas City. In fact, a disproportionate amount of the loans extended by MOHELA are to students at Missouri's Catholic colleges and university. However, the sale proceeds will only be used to assist state universities. The private universities that helped to build the wealth of MOHELA will receive no benefits from the MOHELA sale, and, in fact, will be harmed because their students will have fewer options to obtain financial assistance.
Thus, for many Catholic families in Missouri, this is triple hit on their moral values, their pocketbooks and their hopes for a quality Catholic education for their children. First, the moneys they have paid into MOHELA will be used for human cloning and other unethical research which destroys innocent human lives. Second, it will cost these families more to send their children to college. And third, the assets of MOHELA, which come from their hard-earned dollars, will be sold only for the benefit of public higher education, which will put Catholic colleges and universities at a greater disadvantage as they seek to attract students, quality teachers and community support.
Some may argue that the November 7, 2006 election gives a mandate for funding embryonic stem cell research and human cloning. But Amendment 2 passed by about 50,000 votes out of over 2 million votes cast. This certainly does not constitute a mandate. Supporters of Amendment 2 spent over $30 for each vote cast in favor of the amendment. Normally, the legislature supports funding of projects for which there is a reasonable level of consensus. Furthermore, there are plenty of programs that are under-funded at this time. Many low-income parents, for example, lost their Medicaid health coverage in 2005 because of a severe state budget shortfall. Yet the governor's proposal would give speculative life science experiments priority over providing basic health care to the poor, the elderly, veterans and low-income working families.
Some suggest that life science research must go forward for the economic progress of our state. But no economic "progress" can justify the taking of any human life. If the research is valid and ethical, it will win the public's approval in the market and move forward. Why should this particular business -- biotech -- be singled out for special treatment and taxpayer money? Missouri should not establish a government subsidized life science industry.
WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW:
Don't let up now! Your calls, letters and e-mails are beginning to have an impact, but more constituent pressure is needed!
* Contact your State Senator and State Representative immediately (see hyper-linked rosters at the end of this ActionGram. Note: Complete legislator information will not be available until January 3, 2007);
* Pass this ActionGram on to friends and neighbors and encourage them to contact their state lawmakers;
* Post this ActionGram in church, parish and Knights of Columbus halls, Catholic schools and other places where it will be seen.
* Have the following message placed in the Sunday bulletin.
MOHELA sale will fund human cloning! The state legislature will soon consider the sale of $350 million in assets of the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority (MOHELA) for the construction of life science buildings at public universities. The Missouri Catholic Conference asks citizens to urge their state lawmakers to oppose the MOHELA sale. The MOHELA sale is poor public policy for the following three reasons: 1. The proceeds from the MOHELA sale can be used for unethical life sciences and human cloning; 2. The MOHELA sale will transfer money normally used to provide loan assistance to college students to the construction of life science buildings on the public university campuses; and 3. Even though a disproportionate amount of the MOHELA assets come from loan applications from Catholic college students, Catholic colleges and universities such as St. Louis University and Rockhurst University will realize no benefit from the MOHELA sale - all the money will be used for construction at public (not private) colleges and universities.
* Report back to the MCC on what your legislators are saying. Contact us at mocatholic@mocatholic.org or call toll-free at 1-800-456-1679.
ROSTER OF STATE SENATORS: http://www.senate.mo.gov/06info/senalpha.htm
ROSTER OF STATE REPRESENTATIVES:
http://www.house.state.mo.us/default.aspx?info=/bills071/member/memmail.htmPosted December 21, 2006
Missouri Legislators Seek to Close Stem-Cell Research Loophole
Two lawmakers plan to challenge a human-cloning provision in constitutional amendment narrowly approved by voters in November, the Kansas City Star reported.Amendment 2, the Missouri Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative, passed with just 51 percent of the vote last month. The initiative allows researchers to create embryonic human life for the purpose of extracting stem cells -- a process that always results in the death of the embryo. It will also allow scientists to clone human embryos for research.
State Sen. Matt Bartle and state Rep. Jim Lembke, both Republicans, announced Tuesday a proposal that would clarify the intent of the people of Missouri.
See http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000003473.cfm for complete story.
Posted December 15, 2006
Missourians Against Human Cloning Header
12/15/2006Dear MAHC Coalition Members,
I hope you have all enjoyed a restful post-election break and are enjoying the Christmas season.
I have exciting news to share with you. On Tuesday December 19th, State Senator Matt Bartle and State Representative Jim Lembke will travel across our state to announce joint resolutions to truly ban human cloning they are going to file for the 2007 legislative session. As many of you know, Senator Bartle and Representative Lembke have been at the forefront of the anti-cloning battle for several years. The proponents of Amendment 2 spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to unseat these two courageous leaders, but fortunately their constituents were not deceived and re-elected these outstanding statesmen.
"As legislators, we take our responsibilities to those we serve very seriously. We know that most Missourians do not want to constitutionally protect human cloning and they certainly don't want their tax dollars paying for it", stated Rep. Lembke.
The people have provided a mandate to the legislature to provide a true ban on all human cloning that is honest, straightforward and scientifically accurate. Therefore, MAHC is proud to support joint resolutions that will clearly and simply protect our state from unethical human cloning research. If human cloning is truly banned in our state, we protect the dignity of human life, our tax dollars and our young women from the exploitation and endangerment of egg harvesting.
Unlike those that have hidden their pro-cloning agenda behind the smoke and mirrors of a deceptive and complicated 2,200 word amendment, we will continue to share the truth in simple, honest and scientifically accurate terms with the voters of Missouri.
HOW YOU CAN HELP If possible, please attend one of the press conferences listed below to show your support for legislation that corrects the deceptions and fallacies of Amendment 2.
Attend the Concerned Women of America's Lobby Day on January 10, 2007 at the Capitol in Jefferson City. You will have the opportunity to show your legislators that you support the anti-cloning joint resolutions.
Also, mark your calendars for the Anti-cloning Coalition Lobby Day on March 7, 2007. Much more information on this important event co-sponsored by MAHC and a number of other organizations will be provided in January.
8:00 AM Jefferson City Press Conference
Senate Lounge, Third Floor State Capitol Building
Ample seating10:15 AM St. Louis Press Conference
Pillar in the Valley
229 Chesterfield Business Parkway
Ample seating12:05 PM Southeast Missouri Press Conference
Cape Girardeau Airport
FBO Cape Aviation Conference Room (no street address available)
Very limited space in the conference room, supporters can gather in lobby2:30 PM Southwest Missouri Press Conference
Springfield Airport Conference Room
2801 N General Aviation Avenue
Very limited space in the conference room, supporters can gather in lobby4:30 PM Kansas City Press Conference
Executive Beechcraft Hangar
10 Richards Rd.
Very limited space in the conference room, supporters can gather in lobbyWANT TO KNOW MORE
Listen to an interview with Senator Matt Bartle <http://www.nocloning.org/audio/MattBartle.mp3> .Merry Christmas!
Jaci2nd post
Dear MAHC Coalition Members,We would like to clarify the details for the Bartle/Lembke press conferences which were sent out in the email alert yesterday.
We noticed that the Press conferences listed below did not include the date. These press conferences will be held on Tuesday December 19th.
Please support this initial effort to correctly ammend the missouri constitution so it truly bans human cloning.
8:00 AM Jefferson City Press Conference
Senate Lounge, Third Floor State Capitol Building
Ample seating10:15 AM St. Louis Press Conference
Pillar in the Valley
229 Chesterfield Business Parkway
Ample seating12:05 PM Southeast Missouri Press Conference
Cape Girardeau Airport
FBO Cape Aviation Conference Room (no street address available)
Supporters will gather in lobby2:30 PM Southwest Missouri Press Conference
Springfield Airport Conference Room
2801 N General Aviation Avenue
Supporters will gather in lobby4:30 PM Kansas City Press Conference
Executive Beechcraft Hangar
10 Richards Rd.
Supporters will gather in lobbyThank You,
JaciPosted November 6, 2006
No Fairy Tales, Just the Truth
California Company's False Claims to Ethical Embryonic Stem Cell Research -- BY KIRK KRAMER, NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2006, Los Angeles Lay Catholic MissionPosted October 13, 2006
Wesley J. Smith was interviewed for an hour 10/12/06 on KKSZ, "The Eagle," out of Columbia, Missouri about Amendment 2, the initiative that would create a constitutional amendment in Missouri to do human cloning research. If you have a spare hour, check it out.
Posted September 25, 2006
Industrialized Human Cloning Looms -- Inside Voices -- Review of Cloning and Embryonic Stem Cell Research amendment before Missouri voters
by Helen Hull Hitchcock (Michaelmas 2006)Posted August 25, 2006
Pro-Life Spokeswoman Protests FDA Approval of “Plan B” Without Prescription
WASHINGTON (August 24, 2006) — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced today (August 24) that it has approved Barr Pharmaceutical’s “Plan B” for distribution without a prescription to women age 18 and over.
Deirdre McQuade, Director of Planning and Information for the Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, objected to the approval in the following statement:
“We find the FDA’s unprecedented decision to make Plan B available without a prescription completely unacceptable. Women deserve quality health care, but over-the-counter (OTC) use of this potentially abortifacient drug will compromise informed consent and follow-up care when necessary.
“The FDA describes Plan B as ‘a contraceptive drug’ and equates its side effects to those of ordinary birth control pills. While Plan B can prevent fertilization, the manufacturer admits it may also prevent a newly-conceived embryo from implanting and surviving in the womb. This is properly understood as causing an early abortion.
“Without the benefit of a doctor’s supervision, many women will be unaware of this abortifacient action and the other risks posed by Plan B.
“Plan B is a powerful dose of the artificial hormone, Levonorgestrel – 40 times the amount found in comparable prescription-only birth control pills. Making the more potent dosage available to women upon request simply offends common sense – especially when the drug is not designed to treat a disease or pathological condition.
“According to Plan B’s new packaging insert, the risk of potentially fatal ectopic pregnancy is up to five times higher with progestin-only birth control. But if women take the drug quickly, as advised, they may not take the time to read all the fine print and could put themselves at unnecessary risk.
“Despite exaggerated claims to the contrary, Plan B will not realistically reduce abortion rates. Research in Europe and the U.S. has shown that increased access to ‘emergency contraception’ has a negligible effect on the rate of unplanned pregnancies and abortions.
“The burden now shifts to pharmacies to do the right thing for women’s health. I urge health care providers not to confuse FDA approval with a right to access and refuse to stock this potent drug for distribution on demand.”
For USCCB comments to the FDA and other information on the morning-after pill, go to: www.usccb.org/prolife/issues/contraception/morningafterpill.htm.
Posted August 24, 2006
Press Release from Young Friends for Life:You are invited to Celebrate LIFE in the CITY with the Young Friends for Life!
Young Friends for Life, recently convened by the Respect Life Apostolate of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, strives to enhance the participation of St. Louis' young professional community in promoting the dignity of human life from its earliest stages to natural death. Our first project is to host Celebrate LIFE in the CITY on Thursday, September 7 at the CITY Museum. The goal of the event is to raise awareness about Constitutional Amendment 2, a proposed amendment to the Missouri state constitution that would protect embryonic stem cell research and human cloning. All of the proceeds from the evening will benefit a media campaign to educate Missourians about the proposed pro-cloning amendment. Guests will have the opportunity to explore the City Museum while enjoying complimentary drinks and appetizers.
Join us as we Celebrate LIFE in the CITY on Thursday, September 7, 7-10 pm!
If you have any questions, please contact Young Friends For Life by email: info@youngfriendsforlife.org or by phone: 314-792-7556.
Visit YoungFriendsForLife.org for details on ticket prices.Posted August 21, 2006
Posted August 10, 2006
Vote NO on the proposed Stem Cell Research and Cloning Amendment -- Links to the St. Louis Archdiocese Respect Life ApostolateDID YOU KNOW? The proposed Stem Cell Research and Cloning Amendment, which will be on the ballot in November, contains provisions overriding existing state laws and exempting doctors and researchers from any lawsuits arising from their research—even if people die. Links to the St. Louis Archdiocese Respect Life Apostolate
Posted August 4, 2006
From Missourians Against Human Cloning
The debate surrounding the Stem Cell Research/Cloning Amendment is heating up across the state as well as the country! All eyes are on Missouri.
Tuesday, August 8th is the statewide primary election. The primary offers an opportunity to deliver our message to 800,000 dedicated voters, all in one day. This will be a pivotal 24 hours in our campaign. Please, join the ranks of hundreds of coalition members who will handout our flyers to voters as they exit the polls. This is a non-confrontational event.
If you are interested and are available please contact your regional coordinator listed below or call the office in St. Louis, 636-536-9877.
We know that when people understand the truth, they will be motivated to vote NO in November.
Help us share that truth with everyone you know.
St. Louis/St. Charles/Lincoln/Jefferson/Franklin/Warren area:
contact Lois Linton via email at lslntn@charter.netSoutheastern Missouri:
contact Karen Magee at pmagee@earthlink.netKansas City/Cass/Clay/Jackson/Johnson/Plate/Ray area:
contact Tiffany Bradford at tiffany@birch.net
contact Julia Warton at nocloning-julia@kc.rr.comSouthwestern Missouri:
contact Lisa Leach at mrleach@sbcglobal.netCentral Missouri:
contact Mitch Hubbard at mitchellhubbard@netzero.netNortheastern Missouri:
contact Brenda Wickham at bdc@ponyexpress.netAlso, if you belong to a church, social organization or civic group, and want to educate your fellow members on the upcoming amendment, call our office to schedule a presentation. We have a well trained Speakers Bureau of doctors, medical professionals, and researchers who would be glad to answer any of your questions.
Posted August 3, 2006
Catholic voter information on stem-cell PAC donations draws complaint to IRS
By Kevin Kelly
8/2/2006
Catholic News ServiceKANSAS CITY, Mo. (CNS) – Attempts by the Missouri Catholic Conference to inform voters about thousands of dollars in contributions to state officeholders from a political action committee (PAC) supporting embryonic stem-cell research have prompted a complaint to the Internal Revenue Service.
"We take this complaint very seriously," said Deacon Larry Weber, executive director of the conference, the public policy arm of the state's Catholic bishops.
"However, we believe strongly that we didn't violate the IRS code or regulations," Deacon Weber said. "We're only seeking to provide information and clarify who is taking funding from supporters of embryonic stem-cell research and human cloning. People are known by the company they keep."
Click title for complete article.
Posted July 27 2006
Link to: President Bush's Message to the House of Representatives, July 19, 2006 -- White House website, also see: Fact Sheet: President Bush's Stem Cell Research Policy
Vatican newspaper criticizes EU vote on stem-cell research funding
By Carol Glatz
Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The European Union's decision to continue funding for embryonic stem-cell research represents "the macabre result of a twisted sense of logic," said the Vatican newspaper.
In its July 26 edition, L'Osservatore Romano criticized the EU ministers' attempts to find a middle ground between pro-life concerns and pressures for stem-cell research. Instead of finding an ethical solution, the European Union has condoned "a macabre illicit trade" between researchers who harvest stem cells and those who work with stem-cell lines, the Vatican newspaper said.
Click title for complete news release.
Posted July 19, 2006
Embryo Destruction versus Abortion by Richard Stith, J.D., Ph.D.
Posted July 19, 2006
Senate passage of embryonic stem-cell expansion called 'a disservice'
By Nancy Frazier O'Brien
Catholic News ServiceWASHINGTON (CNS) -- The Senate's July 18 vote to expand federal funding of embryonic stem-cell research does "a disservice to human life and to the cause of medical progress," said the head of the U.S. bishops' pro-life office.
Click title for complete news release.
Posted July 18, 2006
Cardinal Keeler Urges Senate: Support Two Bills on Stem Cell Research, Reject H.R. 810
WASHINGTON (July 12, 2006)—With the U.S. Senate poised to consider three bills relating to bioethics and stem cell research, Cardinal William H. Keeler urged support for two of those bills—which, he said, respect both science and ethics—and rejection of a bill which would force taxpayers to support the destruction of early human life.
In a letter to the Senate, Cardinal Keeler expressed support for S. 2754, the Alternative Pluripotent Stem Cell Therapies Enhancement Act, and S. 3504, the Fetus Farming Prohibition Act. He called on the Senate to reject H.R. 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, “in the name of sound ethics and responsible science.”
Cardinal Keeler, Archbishop of Baltimore, is Chairman of the Committee for Pro-Life Activities, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)
NOTE: The full text of Cardinal Keeler’s letter can be found on the Web at www.usccb.org/prolife/issues/bioethic/stemcell/keelerhr810.pdf.
Click title for complete news release on the USCCB website.
Posted July 5, 2006
A Clone by any Other Name: Missouri's deceptively worded ballot measure -- By Colleen Carroll Campbell
Posted June 7, 2006
Harvard and The University of California in San Francisco uses Embryonic Stem Cells in research.
and
Posted May 22, 2006
Rosary Crusade -- Safeguarding Embryonic Human Life -- Archdiocese of St. Louis, Respect Life Apostolate -- To join visit http://www.morosarycrusade.org/
Posted May 17, 2006
PRE-EMINENT RIGHT ISSUE, Steven Rogers JD -- Missouri Embroynic Stem Cell Research Initiative
CONSTITUTIONAL CROSSROADS -- May 2006 -- Steven Rogers, JD, Missouri Embroynic Stem Cell Research Initiative, op-ed
Posted March 6, 2006
Taking a Stand for Life -- A Missouri petition supporting embryonic stem cell experiments calls for action:A young woman responds -- Molly McCann [Lent-Easter 2006]
Posted March 3, 2006
Please do not sign the “Missouri Stem Cell Research and Cure Initiative” petitions being circulated in your area.
If you signed in error and wish to have your name removed you should submit a sworn statement to the Missouri Secretary of State’s office asking that the signature be withdrawn from the petition. Requests should be submitted in writing to Robin Carnahan, Secretary of State of Missouri, Missouri State Capitol, Room 208, PO Box 778, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0778.
Source St Louis Review -- Way offered to remove signatures from petition, March 3, 2006
Posted February 27, 2006
http://www.dontsignalifeaway.org/
Please do not sign the “Missouri Stem Cell Research and Cure Initiative” petitions being circulated in your area.Posted February 27, 2006
EACH HUMAN BEING IS A REFLECTION OF DIVINE REALITYVATICAN CITY, FEB 27, 2006 (VIS) - Benedict XVI today received participants in the general assembly of the Pontifical Academy for Life which is currently considering the theme of "the human embryo prior to implantation."
The Pope described the theme as "fascinating, but difficult and arduous given the delicate nature of the subject being examined and the complexity of epistemological problems concerning the relationship" between experimental scientific data and reflection on anthropological values.
After recalling that Holy Scripture "expresses the love of God towards all human beings even before they take form in the mother's womb," the Holy Father affirmed: "The love of God does not distinguish between the newly-conceived infant still in its mother's womb, the baby, the youth, the grown adult or the elderly, because in each of them He sees the sign of His own image and likeness."
"This limitless and almost incomprehensible love of God for man reveals to what point human beings are worthy of love in themselves, regardless of any other consideration, be it intelligence, beauty, health, youth, integrity and so on. Human life is a good thing, always and definitively."
Benedict XVI went on to make it clear that "in man, in all men and women, whatever their stage or condition of life, there shines a reflection of God's own reality. For this reason, the Magisterium of the Church has constantly proclaimed the sacred and inviolable nature of each human life, from conception to natural end. This moral judgement also holds at the beginning of an embryo's life, even before it is implanted in the mother's womb."
Referring to research into the origins of life, "a mystery which science will be able to illuminate ever more clearly, though with difficulty will it decipher it altogether," the Pope indicated that "those who love truth must be aware that research into such profound themes puts us in the position of seeing and almost touching the hand of God. Beyond the limits of experimental methods, at the confines of the area that some call meta-analysis, where sensorial perception and scientific tests are neither enough or even possible, that is where the adventure of transcendence begins." AC/HUMAN EMBRYO/... VIS 060227 (370)
Posted February 13, 2006
From: Missouri Catholic Conference <mocatholic@mocatholic.org>
Date: Fri, 10 Feb 2006 15:40:42 -0800
To: Undisclosed Recipients <mocatholic@mocatholic.org>
Subject: Contact Senator Talent Today206-39
Senator Talent withdraws his opposition to human cloning
On February 10, 2006, Senator Jim Talent (R-Missouri) withdrew his name as a cosponsor of the Human Cloning Prohibition Act, SB 658. Sen. Talent based his change of position on his desire that a human cloning ban not impede newly emerging technologies.
Sen. Talent admitted that somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), the same process used to create Dolly the sheep, creates cloned human embryos when used with human cells. He further claimed that banning human cloning through SCNT might impede research on a newly proposed procedure called altered nuclear transfer (ANT). In altered nuclear transfer a cloned human embryo is created but is genetically modified to prevent growth beyond a certain stage.
Senator Talent has come under fire in recent months for his support of a ban on human cloning from cloning proponents.
Deacon Larry Weber, Executive Director of the Missouri Catholic Conference stated. “Senator Talent was elected on the basis that he supported a ban on human cloning. Today Senator Talent completely changed his position.”
“Senator Talent needs to reconsider his position and go back to supporting the bill to ban human cloning before the elections in November,” continued Deacon Weber. “Pro-life Missourians expect that Senator Talent will not succumb to false statements and promises of cloning advocates, and will hold fast to his position in support of the cloning ban.”
ACTION REQUESTED:
Contact Senator Talent and let him know that he needs to reconsider his position and go back to supporting SB 658.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Washington, DC Office
493 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-6154
Fax: 202-228-1518
Email: http://talent.senate.gov/Contact/default.cfmSt. Louis Review Article:
February 10, 2006
Youths challenge stem-cell petitioners
by Jennifer Brinker, Review Staff WriterUSCCB Website: Bishops' Official Comments On Human Cloning Hoax -- Washington (January 10, 2006)
USCCB Website: Cloning/Embryo Research/Stem Cell Research
USCCB Official Hails Enactment of Cord Blood Stem Cell Legislation - USCCB Website -- December 20, 2005
Cloning Chaos: Misrepresentations, hype, and outright lies in the name of "science" by Richard Doerflinger.
An essay by the deputy-director or the Pro-life Committee of the US Catholic Bishops' Conference, effectively demolishing the highly publicized Korean cloning research project, that appeared in National Review, December 13, 2005.Ethical and Policy Concerns in Stem Cell Research — Richard Doerflinger [Voices Christmas 2005 - Epiphany 2006]
Safeguarding Human Life: The Very Beginning
by Archbishop Raymond L. Burke, Archdiocese of St. Louis, Missouri -- Missouri Catholic Conference Website, this article was also published in the St. Louis Review, November 11, 2005.Do Not Sign Cloning Petition (PDF File)
Posted Nov. 21, 2005 -- Missouri Catholic Conference - Do not sign a petition in support of the so-called "Missouri Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative".Moral Dilemmas in Stem Cell Research: Is Oocyte Assisted Reprogramming (OAR) A Moral Procedure To Retrieve Embryonic Stem Cells?
Introduction Notes by Helen Hitchcock, Michaelmas 2005Is Oocyte Assisted Reprogramming (OAR) A Moral Procedure To Retrieve Embryonic Stem Cells?
August 15, 2005 - updated September 22, 2005
by William Burke, M.D., Ph.D., Patrick Pullicino, MD, PhD. and The Rev. Edward J. Richard, MS, DThM, JDWhite House Bioethics Council Issues Paper on Stem Cell Research
May 2005Statement on the Passage of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005, H.B. 810, The National Catholic Bioethics Center, posted May 26, 2005
STEM CELL RESEARCH
by Cynthia M. Peterson M.D., October 17, 2004
Pastoral Letter on Election 2004
Bishop Raymond J. Boland and Bishop Robert W. Finn
Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, October 7, 2004
From: USCCB Pro-Life Secretariat
Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2004 11:48:09 -0400
To: Info@wf-f.org
Subject: New Poll on Stem Cell Research FundingDATE: August 23, 2004
FROM: Sr. Mary Ann Walsh
O: 202-541-3200
H: 301-587-4762FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEW POLL: AMERICANS PREFER FUNDING STEM CELL RESEARCH THAT DOES NOT REQUIRE DESTROYING HUMAN EMBRYOS
WASHINGTON-- Despite exaggerated recent claims about the benefits of embryonic stem cell research, Americans strongly prefer funding research that does not require destroying human embryos. They also strongly oppose human cloning for either reproductive or research purposes.
These are the chief findings of survey questions commissioned by the Pro-Life Secretariat of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). The questions are part of a national survey conducted by International Communications Research, which polled over one thousand American adults by telephone in mid-August.
The poll suggests that Americans are closely divided on federal funding of stem cell research that requires destroying human embryos, with 43 percent in favor and 47 percent opposed. However, when given a choice between funding all stem cell research (both adult and embryonic), and funding only alternatives such as adult stem cell research to see if there is no need to destroy embryos for research, Americans clearly prefer funding only adult stem cell research by a margin of 61 percent to 23 percent. Opposition to funding embryonic stem cell research is stronger among women, low-income Americans, seniors, and regular churchgoers.
The survey also shows that Americans overwhelmingly oppose the use of human cloning to create embryos for medical research, 80 percent to 13 percent.
"Cloning embryos for their stem cells is the logical next step in the embryonic stem cell research agenda," says Richard Doerflinger, Deputy Director of the USCCB Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities. Americans also oppose cloning to provide children to infertile couples, 82 percent to 11 percent.
"Polls on embryonic stem cell research often fail to mention that the research requires destroying human embryos," says Doerflinger. "Yet this fact is essential to understanding the moral issue. Some polls also make exaggerated claims about the (hypothetical) medical benefits of embryonic cells, while ignoring the documented benefits of alternative research that poses no moral problem. No instrument for testing public opinion should mislead the public on these crucial aspects of the issue."
Poll questions and results are attached.
SEC,CNS,RNS,Crux
Questions asked by International Communications Research, a national research firm headquartered in Media, Pennsylvania. A weighted sample of 1001 American adults was surveyed by telephone August 13-17, 2004, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percent.
1. Stem cells are the basic cells from which all of a person's tissues and organs develop. Congress is considering the question of federal funding for experiments using stem cells from human embryos. The live embryos would be destroyed in their first week of development to obtain these cells. Do you support or oppose using your federal tax dollars for such experiments?
Support 43.3%
Oppose 46.9%
Don't know 9.0%
Refused 0.8%2. Stem cells for research can be obtained by destroying human embryos. They can also be obtained from adults, from placentas left over from live births, and in other ways that do no harm to the donor. Scientists disagree on which source may end up being most successful in treating diseases. How would you prefer your tax dollars to be used this year for stem cell research?
(Options rotated)Supporting all methods, including those that require destroying human embryos,
to see which will be most successful 23.0%or
Supporting research using adult stem cells and other alternatives, to see if there is no need to destroy human embryos for research. 61.4%
Neither (volunteered) 8.0%
Don't know 6.7%
Refused 0.8%3. Should scientists be allowed to use human cloning to try to create children for infertile couples?
Yes 11.1%
No 82.1%
Don't Know 6.4%
Refused 0.4%4. Should scientists be allowed to use human cloning to create a supply of human embryos to be destroyed in medical research?
Yes 13.3%
No 79.8%
Don't Know 6.1%
Refused 0.7%USCCB Pro-Life Secretariat
Intervention by the Holy See: Delegation at the Special Committee of the 57th General Assembly of the United Nations on Human Embryonic Cloning
Monday, September 23, 2002Ethical Implications of Non-Heart-Beating Organ Donation
by Nancy Valko, RN, Michaelmas 2002Pontifical Academy for Life, Prospects for Xenotransplantation Scientific Aspects and Ethical Considerations, September 26, 2001
Bioethics Watch: Hard Sell on Stem Cells
by Nancy Valko, RN, Michaelmas 2001, Volume XVI No. 3Address of John Paul II, to the 18th International Congress of the Transplantation Society, Tuesday, August 29, 2000
Declaration on the Production and the Scientific and Therapeutic Use of Human Embryonic Stem Cells -- Pontifical Academy for Life -- August 25, 2000
Bioethics Watch: Stem Cells and Fetal Tissue
By Nancy Valko, RN, May 2000
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