Roman Catholic Church gives money to defeat stem cell campaign

The Miami Herald ^ | September 9, 2004 | Paul Elias

[NYer]

SAN FRANCISCO - The Roman Catholic Church and the wealthy evangelical Christian Howard Ahmanson Jr. have emerged as the biggest financial backers of the campaign against a California ballot measure that would fund stem cell research and cloning projects.

Each contributed $50,000 last week to separate campaign groups, bringing the total to $125,000 combined.

Proposition 71 on the Nov. 2 ballot directs the state to borrow $3 billion to pay for the controversial research that scientists say is being hindered by the Bush administration.

Supporters have amassed about $12 million, including a contribution of 22,400 shares of biotechnology giant Amgen Inc. worth more than $1.3 million. The contribution was made by wealthy venture capitalist William Bowes Jr., the founding chairman of Amgen. All told, venture capitalists have contributed more than $3 million to the pro-71 campaign.

Human embryonic stem cells are created in the first days after conception and ultimately turn into all the cells, tissues and organs that comprise the human body. Scientists hope to harness this power to create replacement cells and tissues to treat a wide range of ailments, from diabetes to spinal cord injury.

But many conservatives oppose stem cell research because it destroys embryos.

[Rutles4Ever]

Here comes the "separation of church and state" brigade...

[NYer]

“Though it is true that sometimes it is lawful to tolerate a lesser moral evil in order to avoid a greater evil or in order to promote a greater good," it is never lawful, even for the gravest reasons, to do evil that good may come of it (18)—in other words, to intend directly something which of its very nature contradicts the moral order, and which must therefore be judged unworthy of man, even though the intention is to protect or promote the welfare of an individual, of a family or of society in general.”
HUMANAE VITAE

Catholic Ping - let me know if you want on/off this list

[avg_freeper]

Thought I'd help this paper's moronic editors:

But many conservatives oppose EMBRYONIC stem cell research because it destroys embryos.

[Salvation]

Pro-life bump!

[NYer]

Pro life ping!

[Coleus]

Embryo Vivisection and Elusive Promises Act--California Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative

Just say NO to 71

anybody in CA with a ping list?

[ArrogantBustard]

Proposition 71 on the Nov. 2 ballot directs the state to borrow $3 billion to pay for the controversial research demonic program of vivisection and cannibalism that scientists conscienceless butchers say is being hindered by the Bush administration.

[Calpernia]

Did you notice all the appearances Christopher Reeve is making here in NJ? McGreevey is rumored to be taking CEO position of that new Stem Cell Research program and Reeves is on tour speaking for Stem Cell Research.

[Coleus]

what is arnold's position on this issue?

[ElkGroveDan]

My understanding is that he has not taken a position on the initiative, though he has said in the past that he supports stem cell research.

[k2blader]

Just to be clear, are the RCC and Ahmanson in opposition to the President's decision to allow research to continue with "existing lines" of embryonic stem cells?

[NYer]

Just to be clear, are the RCC and Ahmanson in opposition to the President's decision to allow research to continue with "existing lines" of embryonic stem cells?

The short answer is "yes". However, the issue is far more profound. Perhaps this will provide you with the full perspective.

On August 9, 2001, President George W. Bush announced that he would support limited federal funding of embryonic stem-cell research. It was a controversial decision he had weighed for some months. Catholic leaders, including Pope John Paul II and U.S. bishops, had implored the president to reject such funding. In the end, Bush allowed research funding only for those stem cells that already had been extracted from destroyed embryos. He prohibited further destruction of embryos for stem-cell research.

Although there was a sigh of relief among some religous leaders that the funding was so restricted, the U.S. bishops were quick to condemn the very idea of accommodating the intentional destruction of human embryos for research. Stem-cell research in itself is not wrong, but creating and/or destroying human life in order to "mine" stem cells is, according to Church teaching. (See "Stem-cell Research and Catholic Teaching" and "Is Stem-cell Research Moral?" for more on the question.)

When President George W. Bush met with Pope John Paul II at Castel Gandolfo, Italy, on July 23, 2001, the President was surprised that stem-cell research was on the pope's agenda. Yet the pope sees the United States as pivotal in setting moral social policies worldwide.

The pope exhorted the president to reject embryonic stem-cell research as a practice related to abortion, euthanasia and other assaults on innocent human life: "A free and virtuous society," said the pope, "which America aspires to be, must reject practices that devalue and violate human life at any stage from conception until natural death." (Click here to read the full text of the pope's brief comments related to stem cells.)

After the pope's address, President Bush delivered prepared remarks, applauding Pope John Paul II for carrying, in Mr. Bush's words, "the Gospel of life, which welcomes the stranger and protects the weak and innocent."

[Mr. Silverback]

ProLife Ping!

If anyone wants on or off my ProLife Ping List, please notify me here or by freepmail.

[Mr. Silverback]

California Freepers, please give this Proposition your attention.

[Coleus]

Just to be clear, are the RCC and Ahmanson in opposition to the President's decision to allow research to continue with "existing lines" of embryonic stem cells? >>>

The Catholic Church is against abortion

Catholic Bishops Criticize
Bush Policy on Embryo Research

[Raquel]

Isn't there a distinction between embryonic stem cell research and stem cell research from sources other than embryos? Does the RCC condone research in the latter?

I've read that stem cells (not from embryos) are generating successful result in certain diseases, while embryonic cells cause cancerous tumors in mice.

Please clarify. P.S. I'll be working as a sidewalk-counsellor at an abortion mill for the first time this Saturday. Please pray for me.

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

Basic rule of thumb for the morally illiterate:

A=A

A human embryo = a human embryo

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

fyi

[afnamvet]

NO ON 71!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!