Fidelis Urges Senate to Reject Funding for Embryo-Killing Research

I received the following press release in an email today from Fidelis:

CHELSEA, MI - The national Catholic based advocacy group Fidelis called on the United States Senate to reject legislation that will provide federal taxpayer funds for research that will destroy human embryo’s. The Senate is scheduled to debate S.5 Tuesday, a bill that would expand federal funding on stem cell research that involves the destructive of human life at its earliest stages. President Bush has pledged to veto this bill.

Fidelis President Joseph Cella commented, “We remain firmly opposed to the use of taxpayer dollars for any research that involves the destruction of human life, while affirming our support of ethical stem cell alternatives, including research involving adult stem cells, and those derived from cord blood and amniotic fluid. Our government must never support destructive research on human beings, no matter how small, regardless of the scientific potential. The American taxpayer should not be forced into funding this immoral and destructive research.”

The Senate is also expected to debate an alternative proposal, introduced by Senators Coleman and Isakson, which would authorize federal funding for embryonic stem cell research that does not harm human embryos. The bill, S. 30, proposes to fund all avenues of stem cell research that does not destroy human life, including some techniques on human embryos that are not yet known to pose any risks to human life. The legislation places the burden of responsibility on scientists to come up with methods and techniques that do not destroy human embryos, including the requirement that testing first be done on animals to insure that no embryos are destroyed in the process.

Cardinal Justin Rigali, Chairman of Pro-life Activities for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has issued a letter endorsing this alternative proposal. Senators Brownback, Kyl and others, along with the White House have also signaled their support.

Cella continued, “The introduction of this alternative proposal presents an opportunity for every Senator seeking to advance the potential of stem cell derived treatments, to proceed in a responsible and ethical manner. This proposal (S. 30) appears to be a morally acceptable compromise that should be supported.”