Federal Funding of Destructive Human Embryo Experimentation Is Morally Unethical and Fiscally Irresponsible
Washington, DC – President Barack Obama is scheduled on Monday to lift the ban imposed by President George W. Bush on life-destructive human embryonic stem cell experimentation, which destroys living human beings in the earliest stages of development.
“Obama’s policy of forcing tax payers to fund lethal human experimentation is morally unethical and fiscally irresponsible,” said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman. “Destructive human embryonic stem cell research has produced no therapies that have benefitted people, and have only produced horrific side effects in preliminary test subjects. It would be more beneficial to the country to pour that money down a rat hole, than to fund such ghoulish experiments.”
Operation Rescue supports continued research on adult stem cell therapies, which can be done without killing human embryos, and are benefitting many people who now suffer from a wide range of diseases.
“Obama is continuing to show his true colors on life issues by implementing the most radical policies that are meant to establish a culture of death in America,” said Newman.
A case in point is Obama’s recent pick of Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius as Secretary of Health and Human Services. Her abortion extremism and friendship with late-term abortionist George Tiller, who faces trial next week on 19 criminal counts of committing illegal abortions, is well documented. If confirmed, Sebelius would have oversight of tax spending for human embryonic experimentation.
Operation Rescue was on the cutting edge of exposing the unethical nature of live human embryo experimentation. OR led the first ever protests of embryonic stem cell experimentation laboratories in 1999, and produced a booklet in 2000 to help laymen understand the life-destructive nature of embryonic stem cell research and other emerging biotechnologies. In 2001, Troy Newman and Cheryl Sullenger were arrested for peaceful civil disobedience while protesting human embryo experimentation at the HHS building and at the White House in Washington, DC.
So many people are misinformed about the current or future benefits of embryonic stem cell usage. To date no cures or benefits from embryonic stem cells have been realized, but in fact some have caused tumors in some lab animals.
One real reason for the rush by the science community to get federal funding for embryonic stem cell is that they stand to realize huge financial gains by “selling” their licensed embryonic stem cells lines to other researchers and institutions. ( I wonder how many in Congress or the Executive branch plan to “invest” in those biotech firms that seek federal funding for embryonic research because whether or not any cures or benefits in the future come from embryonic stem cell research, these stem lines are going to be worth big revenue dollars as a result of the licensing fees being charged to those wanting to buy the stem cells from these lines. Big revenues to these biotech companies means the shareholders stand to gain from rising stock prices and dividends–it would be interesting to track who in government has a “vested” interest in biotech companies involved in embryonic stem cell business)
Mr. Obama was very disingenuous when he stated that most Americans support stem research. What he left out was that most Amercians support stem research (involving adult or cord blood fetal stem cells) NOT embryonic stem cell research which many Americans don’t even realize destroy human embryos and have no benefit or cures to date. Most media outlets and the President are not honest about the cures and the ongoing research breakthroughs that are being made each day using adult stem cells.
Tad Pacholczyk, a Catholic priest who earned a doctorate degree in neuroscience from Yale and holds four undergraduate degrees in molecular and cellular biology, biochem, chemistry and philosophy, and two advanced theological degrees has lectured and written extensively on the science of embryonic stem cell research and the bioethical dilemma it poses. He also worked as a molecular biologist at Mass. General Hospital before doing advanced work in theology in Rome. He is uniquely qualified to articulate the ethical and scientific pitfalls of embryonic stem research as a scientist, bioethicist and theologian and it is well-worth your time to read some of his research and writings on this issue. One article that he wrote which I believe is worth your time to read because its well-written and easy to understand is titled:
The Ten Great Myths in the Debate Over Stem Cell Research (do a google search for this and other articles he has written)
Learning the truth about embryonic and adult stem research is the best antedote to stopping the false claims made by embryonic stem cell supporters. Educating ourselves and everyone around us about this issue is essential. The light of truth is the key to defeating falsehood and the darkness of evil.
Mary-excellent post. Fr. Tad is an expert in his field, yet people with no knowledge will argue his factual info. I have been a health care worker for over 20 yrs, and have worked with patients with horrible, degenerative diseases, like Parkinson’s. I’m sure that some people are singing praises to Obama right now, but I wish them well when they develop tumors on top of whatever disease they are currently sporting. I am truly sympathetic to those who are suffering,but embryonic stem cells will not help-proven! Skin cells, nasal cells-helpful/ curative with no tumors/side effects.You said it all ,Mary. Now I can be quiet for a change!
Barack ” I’ve got two daughters. 9 yrs. old and 6 yrs. old. I am going to teach them first of all about values and morals. But if they make a mistake, I don’t want them PUNISHED WITH A BABY.” Obama will stop at nothing to do his fathers will, remember that. He will continue to do things like this. Keep watching. Pray and get involved people, everywhere you can.
“Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.” GOD Psalm 127:3
Thanks Paula for your input too. I understand people want and need hope and cures, but the best medicine is always the most moral-based solutions, that I believe is how nature operates. The Tree of Knowledge of Good or Evil wasn’t called this without basis.
Everyone failed to mention here that earlier this year the FDA gave the green light to The Geron Corporation to start the first ever human clinical trial using embryonic stem cells for the treatment of spinal cord injury.
The government is now responsible for supporting and encouraging the development of embryos as commodies for the sole purpose of using their “body parts”, namely their stems cells that are essential for their own growth and development as human beings. So, now a bunch of politicians are playing god and eroding our God-given right to life promised by our Constitution and our Creator.
The President and the Congress have now delegated the rights of embryos to those of PROPERTY rights NOT human rights…They have now given the green light to biotech companies in the business of harvesting and exploiting embryos to do as they please with their embryonic “property” , their “chattal”. Slavery is alive and well in the world with the tiniest of humans of all races suffering at the hands of the new masters in the scientific community….