Richard Doerflinger on Virginia Embryonic Stem Cell Research
Source: U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops; July 11, 2001

Richard Doerflinger on Virginia Embryonic Stem Cell Research

Washington, DC -- An official of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
reacted today to reports that the Jones Institute for Reproductive
Medicine in Norfolk, Virginia has created over a hundred embryos from
donated sperm and eggs solely to obtain stem cells for research. Richard
M. Doerflinger, Associate Director for Policy Development at the USCCB's
Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities, said this development shows the need
for the Bush Administration to "step back from the brink" of funding any
research involving human embryo destruction. His text follows:

"It is disturbing news that researchers at the Jones Institute for
Reproductive Medicine have created more than a hundred human embryos
solely to kill them for their stem cells.

"Those who have become accustomed to destroying 'spare' embryos for
research now think nothing of taking the next horrible step - creating
human life for the purpose of destroying it. This grotesque practice is
now supported only by private funds. If the government begins funding
destructive embryo research, the same numbing of consciences will surely
happen on a wider scale.

"The Jones Institute is affiliated with an organization belonging to the
Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research, and published its
results in that organization's journal. Yet that Coalition now claims
that the only way to set ethical limits and stop the Jones Institute's
abuses is to provide tax dollars for research using 'spare' embryos. In
effect the Coalition is saying: We won't stop ourselves from creating
embryos for destruction unless the government pays us to destroy other
embryos.

"The fact is, federal funding for destructive embryo research is barred
now. Releasing such funds for some unethical research is no way to prevent
even more unethical research

"Once we learn to destroy human life for research, there are no depths to
which we may not sink in the pursuit of knowledge. The Bush
Administration should step back from the brink, and support adult stem
cell research and other alternatives that everybody can live with."