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The Center
for Bioethics & Human Dignity Calls for a Veto of the "Stem Cell
Research Enhancement Act of 2007"
June 7, 2007 – Chicago, Illinois –
The Center for Bioethics & Human Dignity (CBHD) calls upon the
President to exercise both his moral resolve and his presidential
prerogatives and veto immediately the Stem Cell Research Enhancement
Act of 2007. This bill unhinges any restrictions on funding
embryonic stem cell research derived from “discarded” embryos that
result from excessive fertility procedures.
The debate over this bill misleadingly
presented the source of embryonic stem cells as medical waste and
thus of no consequential value. The growing number of Snowflake
children seriously questions the nature of this assumption. CBHD
Director, C. Ben Mitchell, PhD, comments: “Human embryos belong in
nurturing wombs, not in dissecting dishes in a research lab.
Killing human embryos for their stem cells is a form of biotech
cannibalism that we must not countenance as a civilized society.”
While the Center applauds the House
for rebuffing recent efforts to legalize human cloning research, we
strongly urge members of Congress to examine the overwhelming
evidence of successful trials of non-embryonic derived stem cell
treatments. Mitchell comments, “We cannot permit good intentions to
blur the moral boundaries of science. Compassion must be informed by
ethics.” Thus, the Center calls upon Congress to approve
legislation upholding its own interest to “prioritize research with
the greatest potential for near-term clinical benefit” by supporting
proven non-embryonic stem cell research initiatives that offer
genuine medical assistance to those suffering from these difficult
conditions.
CBHD
About The Center for
Bioethics & Human Dignity
The Center for Bioethics & Human
Dignity is dedicated to
exploring the nexus of biomedicine, biotechnology, and our common
humanity. The Center exists to equip thought leaders to engage the
issues of bioethics using the tools of rigorous research, conceptual
analysis, charitable critique, leading-edge publication, and
effective teaching.
Contact:
For Interviews with CBHD
Director C. Ben Mitchell, Ph.D., or Other Center Personnel:
Danielle Morrow 847-345-7248 or
media@cbhd.org
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