8mm
Posted on 06/18/2008 10:25:53 PM PDT by Coleus
The Roman Catholic Church has been unwavering in its opposition to embryonic stem cell research, but the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops put it in writing over the weekend during a semi-annual meeting in Orlando, Fla. The seven-page document, which passed by a vote of 191 to 1, is the first formal statement regarding embryonic stem cell research released by the bishops. "It is the church's belief that it is wrong to kill a life to prolong another life," said the Most Rev. Curtis J. Guillory, bishop of the Diocese of Beaumont. "It is wrong to abort fetuses for their stem cells."
Embryonic stem cells are developed from eggs that have been fertilized in vitro or in a laboratory, according to the National Institutes of Health. Many scientists believe that embryonic stem cell research might eventually lead to therapies that could be used to treat conditions such as Parkinson's disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis and heart disease. The statement from the U.S. Catholic bishops, however, blasts stem cell research.
"Harvesting these 'embryonic stem cells' involves the deliberate killing of innocent human beings, a gravely immoral act. Yet some try to justify it by appealing to a hoped-for future benefit to others," the statement reads. Guillory said he and the other bishops addressed this issue to clarify the church's teaching on the subject. "I think most understand the Catholic Church is against embryonic stem cell research, but we wanted to reiterate our position and let them know there are other ways, other treatments that seem to be very successful," Guillory said.
The bishops contended that condoning embryonic stem cell research or the cloning of human embryos for research purpose opens the door for human cloning. The research "will inevitably facilitate attempts to produce live-born cloned children," the statement reads.
Maury Meyers, 76, former mayor of Beaumont, disagrees with the bishops on that point. Meyers was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, a degenerative disorder of the nervous system, in 1993. "It's unfortunate, but human cloning and embryonic stem cell research have been lumped together and put into the same basket," Meyers said. Meyers, who said he opposes live-born human cloning, said life with Parkinson's disease is a roller-coaster ride.
"It's an ever-changing thing," he said. "It goes in cycles and you have your good days and your days when you can't stop shaking." Meyers first realized something was wrong when he was preparing to put on his shoe and suddenly forgot how. "My brain couldn't send the signal to my foot to put the shoe on," he said.
Since then, Meyers said he's tried a variety of different medications - some of which have been taken off the market - to combat his symptoms. He's gone to different medical facilities in Beaumont and Houston to seek advice. But the worst times, he said, is when he can't control his movements. He said he was at a restaurant recently and kept bumping into the tables on the way to and from the bathroom.
"Everyone must have thought, 'This man is drunk,'" Meyers said. Meyers believes it's too late for him to reap the benefits of embryonic stem cell research, but he hopes advances will be made for the newly diagnosed. "Having experienced this for the last 15 years, I'm thinking about the others that are coming onboard now as Parkinson's patients," he said. "This is a matter of life and death."
Guillory pointed out that the Catholic Church supports the use of adult stem cells and umbilical cord blood. The Catholic Church also supports organ donation and transplantation and bone marrow transplants. "We certainly want healing, but you don't have to destroy a life," Guillory said.
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“Maury Meyers, 76, former mayor of Beaumont, disagrees with the bishops on that point”
Seventy-six and would expend new life to alleviate his suffering. Something wrong with this picture?
How would you like to be the one bishop to vote against this. I bet Father Pfleger would like a transfer to his diocese.
I noticed that, too.
Who was the bishop that voted against this? What were his reasons?
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