Presentation of Action Item #3
“On Embryonic Stem Cell Research”-- Part Two of Two

Editor’s note. The following are excerpts from the introduction made by Archbishop Joseph Naumann, of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities, at the June 12 general meeting of the USCCB.

On behalf of Cardinal Rigali and the Committee on Pro-Life Activities I would like to provide introductory remarks on the proposed statement, “On Embryonic Stem Cell Research.”

Individually and collectively, the Catholic bishops of the United States have been very active in the national debate on this issue, and even our opponents admit that ours is one of the most effective voices against destroying human embryos for stem cell research. Some of us have also faced this issue as state conferences of bishops, in the intense atmosphere of a legislative debate or ballot initiative campaign. We have reaffirmed our moral stance in documents approved by the full body of bishops – for example, our statement on “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship” last year mentioned this issue four times. However, as noted today by the National Advisory Council, this will be our first statement as the bishops of the United States devoted exclusively on this issue of embryonic stem cell research.

The statement firmly rejects attacks on the lives of embryonic human beings for any reason, including medical research. It also responds to several arguments used to justify such killing, and explains how an initial decision to destroy so-called “spare” embryos for this research leads to far broader abuses, including human cloning and new risks to women.

This statement is planned as the first of two documents. Last November this body also authorized the Pro-Life Committee to prepare a somewhat longer, more pastoral document, addressed especially to Catholic engaged and married couples (including those struggling with infertility), to explain the Church’s teaching on reproductive technologies such as “in vitro” fertilization. …

To make our fundamental moral message about human life clear, and to ensure that this message does not become “dated” with new scientific developments, the statement before you does not dwell at length on advances in morally acceptable research using adult and cord blood stem cells. It does mention these advances, and it refers the reader to other sources for ongoing updates. This theme of morally acceptable alternatives is also highlighted in three educational resources to be released this summer.

First, there is a 16-minute video, “Stem Cell Research: Finding Cures We Can All Live With,” which was produced by SaintMax Video with assistance from our Pro-Life Secretariat, an advance copy of which you will find in your packets. Second, we are updating and re-issuing our parish bulletin insert, “Stem Cell Research and Human Cloning: Questions and Answers,” which was first produced in 2004. Third, a brochure, “Stem Cells and Hope for Patients,” by Maureen Condic, Ph.D., will be distributed to the dioceses and other Catholic institutions in July as part of our annual Respect Life Program. …