Critical questions for society
By Tony Magliano,
Catholic News Service
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.
In fact, according to Father Tadeusz Pacholczyk, a
neuroscientist and theologian at the National Catholic Bioethics
Center in Philadelphia, “the church supports three of the four
ways that stem-cell research currently is conducted: “Adult
stem-cell research, involving the growth of stem cells from the
patient’s own tissue or that of another living donor.
“Stem cells developed from umbilical cord blood or placentas
after delivery is completed.
“Cells from fetal tissue derived from miscarriages (also
called spontaneous abortions) as long as the parents give
informed consent.
“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.”
While Catholic doctrine urges respect and protection for all
life, even the lives of murderers, it gives special attention to
the innocent. The direct killing of innocent human beings is
always gravely immoral.
From civilian populations during wartime to unborn human
embryos, life is sacred and deserves protection.
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.
The means must also be good.
Stem cells are largely unspecialized cells that reproduce
themselves and make a variety of specialized cells needed by
the body.
Many people - including numerous politicians and journalists
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 stemcell 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, told me, “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 cordblood stem cells. Adult
stem cells have been used for spinal 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 to pass laws that provide funding for embryonic
stem-cell research.
Why? Because these companies stand to make a fortune.
So, 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.”
Mr. Magliano, pastoral associate at The Shrine of the Little
Flower, Baltimore, writes for Catholic News Service.