WASHINGTON, Mar. 9 /Christian Newswire/ -- Today, by executive order, President Obama rescinded the Bush Administration's policy limiting federal funding for destructive human embryonic stem cell research.
"We are very disappointed that President Obama would take such an indefensible position when progress has been made with ethically noncontroversial stem cells," said a spokesperson for Life Legal Defense Foundation.
The signing ceremony was nothing more than political pandering by this administration, which overshadows the success that has been made with cord blood and other adult stem cell research, which to date have produced 70 successful therapies.
See www.lldf.org for more information about ethically noncontroversial stem cells and the discussion on the subject by pro- life members in Congress just this past week.
Life Legal Defense Foundation was established in 1989, and is a non-profit organization composed of attorneys and other concerned citizens, committed to the sanctity of human life. LLDF is the organization that challenged state funding of the Independent Citizen's Oversight Committee (ICOC), the governing board of California's Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). The ICOC determines which funds will be used for CIRM's destructive human embryonic stem cell and human cloning research
Executive Director of Catholic Think Tank Criticizes President Obama's Move to Lift Restrictions on 'Immoral' and Scientifically Limited Embryo Destructive Research
THORNWOOD, NY, Mar. 9 /Christian Newswire/ -- In response to President Obama's action today that lifts restrictions on federal funding of embryo destructive research, Fr. Thomas Berg, executive director of New York's Westchester Institute for Ethics & the Human Person and member of the ethics committee of the Empire State Stem Cell Board, criticized the move as unnecessary and culturally divisive: "There is a growing chorus of secular and scientific voices that are now recognizing the obvious: we really don't need to be destroying human embryos to get the kind of stem cells we need. IPS [induced pluripotent stem cell] research is doing that for us.
"There is an increasing public demand," he continued, "for scientists to drop the culturally divisive and ethically objectionable research in favor of research that everyone can get on board with. I wish the President would lead the charge in challenging scientists to do just that. Moreover, in the midst of this current economic crisis, it's a travesty to waste money on an immoral scientific endeavor that is already outpaced by scientifically superior, and ethically unproblematic advances."
The Westchester Institute for Ethics and the Human person was founded in 1998 to renew, deepen, and promote the Western tradition of moral reflection by conducting interdisciplinary, natural law analysis of complex, contemporary moral issues yet unresolved among Judeo-Christian scholars.
More information: Useful links and additional background documents are available at www.westchesterinstitute.net. To speak with a representative from Westchester Institute contact Michelle Gress at mgress@westchesterinstitute.net.
Orders funding of unethical and destructive embryonic stem cell research
WASHINGTON, Mar. 9 /Christian Newswire/ -- President Obama signed an executive order today to fund destructive human embryonic stem cell research, overturning a policy that promoted ethical science and astonishing scientific advances.
"Embryonic stem cell research is a destructive and outdated method that has become a holy grail to political and scientific activists who seek no moral restraints on their work. President Obama's order places the worst kind of politics above ethics -- politics driven by hype makes overblown promises, fuels the desperation of the suffering, and financially benefits those seeking to strip morality from science. It is politics at its worst," stated Wendy Wright, President of Concerned Women for America.
"Millions of dollars have been spent on destructive embryonic stem cell research in California, England and elsewhere. The results have been abject failure because embryonic stem cells tend to become deadly tumors. Science has surpassed this unethical research, producing astonishing advances with adult stem cells and discovering ways to make embryonic- like stem cells without killing anyone. Alternatives to embryonic stem cells are more efficient, effective, and are actually treating patients."
"Some claim that hundreds of thousands of embryos are discarded each year and should be used for research. This is absolutely false. Most of the 400,000 embryos in fertility clinics are wanted by their parents and are awaiting implantation and the welcoming arms of their families. The claim betrays an attitude that these embryos are government property and can be confiscated and used for experiments. It's an example of the hype and manipulation advocates of embryonic stem cell research have used to pursue their politics."
Concerned Women for America is the nation's largest public policy women's organization
MEDIA ADVISORY, Mar. 9 /Christian Newswire/ -- Illinois Family Institute's Executive Director, David E. Smith, issued the following statement in response to President Barack Obama's decision to allow millions of taxpayer dollars to be used for the destruction of human embryos in the name of research:
"The Illinois Family Institute (IFI) absolutely supports adult and umbilical cord stem cell research. We oppose, however, embryonic stem cell research because it destroys human life. Moreover, IFI believes that in this economic climate, it is foolish to spend tax dollars for controversial and unproven research.
"Every human life begins as an embryo. Each embryo has unique human DNA. It is the first stage of human development. This fact should not be overlooked in favor of any potential scientific advancement.
"Potential human life should never be sacrificed in the name of a potential medical cure.
"Adult stem cells are being used successfully to treat between 70 and 80 diseases right now -- that is where we should focus our efforts and resources."
IFI works to uphold marriage and family, life and liberty in the Land of Lincoln.
